in their toy store, they have made children and adults dream for generations

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“Do you know this store? It's great! », says a passerby to her friend, showing her the green front of the toy store Barley Sugar. Located in Vincennes, this toy store has existed since 1977 and was able to build a solid reputation among the locals.

A store founded by mothers

The window is decorated with a drawing of a giant colorful fir tree, behind which several worlds take shape, such as that of Sylvanian animals. The bell rings when you enter this dreamlike world. Above the counter, magic lanterns spin colorful lights, while mobiles are installed everywhere above our heads: flowers, planes, bats…

“Toys can represent the entire universe: cosmos, dinosaurs, Antiquity… everything can be transformed into a toy! », underlines one of the co-founders, Chantal. Behind the launch of the store: a group of young mothers wishing to be able to work and take care of their children at the same time.

Although she has white hair today, Chantal adorns it with a glitter barrette and still has a sparkling look in her eyes. Passionate, she continues to manage the accounting, even if she has now handed over to her son, Emmanuel.

It was he who took over in 2008, when his mother, now alone in managing it, was planning to sell it. Aged 47, he does not regret having branched from politics to toys.

It's a dynamic sector, there are new things all the time, it's very stimulating. I really like the bonds that are forged with families, some have been coming for several generations, we see the children grow up.

“We are very well advised”

Ludwig, a regular from Vincennes, comes in looking for Sonny Angel figurines for his children aged 11 and 13. “I come regularly because we get very good advice, we even find gifts for adults,” emphasizes this puzzle lover. In the window are miniature cars and figurines of vintage cyclists.

The store has been able to adapt over the years. “She specialized in wooden and artisanal toys, importing them from Germany, because there were few in France at the time. Then we expanded the range, we now offer everything, although when we can we will favor French craftsmanship,” explains Emmanuel. Her sister, Aurélie, also provides occasional help, with the creation of a new website, but also at the checkout during the end-of-year holiday periods, where the two salespeople are also requisitioned full-time.

In the reserve, stocks prepared in the fall are piling up up to the ceiling. “It’s a former fabric merchant’s premises, we kept the furniture, you can climb on the solid oak drawers like on a stepladder,” describes Emmanuel while putting his words where his mouth is. A few days before Christmas, he admits “I don't always sleep well, I'm always afraid that the orders won't arrive on time, even though that's usually the case.”

Delphine Dauvergne

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