My Storyhouse Toys in Roswell is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year.

Roswell resident Steve Ricks, who owns the store with his wife Marilyn, said he has been successful because he has kept the business small.

“A lot of times by being smaller, you can adapt more quickly to changes in the market and in how people shop,” he said.

Opened in Marietta in 1985, the store began as a children’s bookstore that sold a small selection of toys.

“The market changed, so we kept adding more toys,” he said. “We were able to make that shift so easily because we didn’t have many levels in the company to go through.”

Ricks moved his store—which sells toys, books, games and gifts from around the world—to Roswell eight years ago to work closer to his home.

“We love this community, and we wanted the store to be a part of it,” he said.

Ricks said his business’ success has also come from his loyal customer base.

“We have very supportive clientele,” he said. “We have grandparents who shop here who used to be the parents buying gifts for their children.”

Ricks said he is happy to live in a community that emphasizes supporting local business, and he is involved with Find It All Roswell.

“It’s so important to shop at local business because we need those tax dollars to go back into our school system,” he said.

Though Ricks said last year was the toughest year for business, he is optimistic that customers will start spending again.

“There was an economic meltdown in the country, and of course we were a part of that,” he said. “But I think this year will be better and people will start to loosen their belts.”

To celebrate the anniversary, Ricks said the store will be offering monthly discounts, which can be found at www.mystoryhousetoys.com.

The store is in King’s Plaza at 885 Woodstock Road, suite 300.

Information: (770) 641-1223.

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