‘So sad to see you go’: After 27 years, owners are selling Johnson County toy shop
.jpg "Jane and Jonny Girson are saying goodbye to their collection of toys and beloved staff after 27 years in the business.")
After running their shop for almost three decades, the original owners of a Prairie Village toy store are pulling up their roots and branching into new soil.
Jane and Jonny Girson are looking to sell Learning Tree at 4004 W. 83rd St. after 27 years in business.
“We are ready for new adventures and a change of lifestyle,“ the couple wrote in an announcement on Facebook. “We have watched your kids grow up in our stores and have welcomed second and third generations.”
Jonny said they’re excited to travel and pursue other interests, but parting with their business is bittersweet.
“When you get to be 60 years old, you realize that if you don’t do something different now, you never will,” he said.
Jane taught in public and private schools in California for several years before returning to Kansas City to open the shop. The Girsons first opened their toy shop in 1996 in Town Center Plaza — among the shopping center’s first tenants, Jonny says. They opened a second location, their current Corinth Square spot, in 2000.
Meanwhile, their Town Center location moved to Park Place in 2008 and closed shortly before the pandemic.
Jonny said they’ve received several inquiries from potential buyers. Many of them are customers, but all are interested in keeping the store running. The couple hope the next owners grow Learning Tree’s legacy as a toy shop catering to a variety of ages and abilities.
“I’m pretty overwhelmed by the number of people who have shown how they’d like to take it to the next level and do something with it and combine different skills they have,” he said.
While he has certainly enjoyed curating a selection of specialty toys for children, Jonny said it’s the staff and customers he’ll miss most. The shop has employed over 300 workers over the years.
“Not a day goes by that an old staff member doesn’t come in just to visit or say hi or buy something,” Jonny said.
After their announcement, fans took to Facebook.
“Oh no! So sad to see you go, but you deserve all the good,” one user wrote. “Best wishes in your new chapter, you guys were the best!”
“What an incredible legacy you’ve left in the toy industry.”
“Wishing you joy in your next chapter. You have enriched learning for my children, grandchildren, friends and my classroom,” wrote another.
For more information about Learning Tree, contact Jonny at learningtreeks@gmail.com or call 913-385-1234.