Playnow Toys and Games hosts grand opening celebration

Aug. 10, 2020 | Dennis Hackett
dennis@thereminder.com

Raymond Vigneault cuts the ribbon at the Playnow grand opening alongside Senator John Velis, Westfield Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Kate Phelon, his wife, Noreen, and Westfield Mayor Don Hummason.
Reminder Publishing photo by Dennis Hackett

WESTFIELD – After opening its doors on June 13, Playnow Toy and Game in Westfield made things official after holding its grand opening on July 31.

As part of the opening day, Playnow offered a 10 percent discount on all toys, held giveaways, held a ribbon cutting ceremony and launched its loyalty program.

During the ribbon cutting ceremony, Playnow's owners, Noreen and Raymond Vigneault, lined up with Westfield Mayor Don Hummason, State Senator John Velis and the Greater Westfield Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Kate Phelon as Raymond cut the ribbon.

Noreen said that the couple decided on Westfield as a location because of how well they know the area.

She said, "We're from Western Mass. and we know the area really well. And Westfield's a great community, we even had our wedding reception up at Tekoa."

Raymond added that his background working at Toys R Us and his wife's as a middle school teacher were helpful.

"Back in the day I worked for Toys R Us and I had been in retail and always loved toys. Noreen's a middle school teacher so combined we could put together the right store with a combination of fun and learning and give the customers a great place to shop," he said.

One of the biggest goals for the couple is to make sure that there is something for everyone.

"We're trying to have something for everybody. We have your quality wooden toys, but we are also carrying LOL dolls, which is the most popular toy brand on the market right now. And then when the older kids come in, they see the Pok?mon cards, and the Magic Cards and the LEGO," Raymond said.

Along with the toys for all ages, the store also has a wall of board games for people of all ages.

Noreen said, "Board games include adults, parents and grandparents. They have been very popular with Scrabble and Apples to Apples, just nice family games. A lot of people are taking staycations at home with their families and are playing and having fun."

Raymond said that even before the grand opening business has been good and getting better.

"It's been good in general, we just got most of our product in the last couple weeks and as more comes in it gets better and better. There were somethings that were delayed because of the pandemic shipping but are all showing up now," he said.

He added that delays from shipping as a result of COVID-19 has been the only real challenge from opening during the pandemic.

"Warehouses across the country were shut down. LEGO was doing things like medical masks, so they just started shipping about six weeks ago. The stuff from the East Coast shipped but if we're getting stuff from the West Coast and Southern States, that's taken longer to get."

Along with toys and games, Playnow also offers science kits, workbooks, arts and crafts, and easels for educational purposes as well. Noreen added that they can also order supplies for teachers and parents if school has to go back to remote learning in the fall.

Playnow Toy and Game is located at 5 E. Silver St. and is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.

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