4/9/14 - A Howell woman is hoping to save a downtown toy store from becoming an empty storefront. Becky Gremore is the manager of Razzmatazz Toys in downtown Howell and is working to raise $40,000 needed to buy the storeâs inventory of merchandise and enable it to stay open. Gremore, who has worked at the store for four years and is known by many as the âToy Ladyâ says she was approached by the owners of Razzmatazz Toys, Laura and Chris Mathews, after they decided to move to California. They told her if she could buy the inventory off of them, she could take over the storeâs lease and keep it in operation. She started an online campaign to raise the money, first on Facebook, and then at Crowdtilt.com, where donors can make pledges but are only charged if the full amount is reached. But Gremore tells WHMI that while the effort has yet to produce any big pledges; it has attracted some others to step forward and discuss possible becoming silent business partners. Gremore says she has until the beginning of May to raise the $40,000 before the inventory will have to be liquidated by the current owners. She says she remains hopeful that it will work out in the end and that it would be a shame to lose the store, which provides a unique alternative to corporate big-box toy stores. For more information, call Razzmatazz Toys at 517-579-2206 visit the Crowdtilt page through the link below. (JK)
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