News & Announcements
Toy Fair '09 Award Winner
At Toy Fair '09 Folkmanis held a drawing for $306.00 worth of puppets. This year's winner was Unicorn Gifts' owner Marilyn McCurry. Unicorn Gifts is located at 53 N. Second Street in Ashland, Oregon. Congratulations Marilyn and Unicorn Gifts!
Featured Folkmanis Retailer - Estes Ark / The Talking Teddy
Estes Ark is a unique retail environment located in Colorado, USA. The store was recently featured in the Wall Street Journal and was chosen by George Whalin to be featured in his new book "RETAIL SUPERSTARS-Inside the 25 Best Independent Stores in America". ( Released by Penguin Publishing) They've won numerous awards such as being chosen as one of 2005's SEVEN BEST TOY SHOPS in the USA by Travel Savvy Magazine. The Talking Teddy features plush, and lots of it! They creatively display their Folkmanis Puppets.
To view a photo gallery of the Estes Ark store, click here!
Store owners Susan and Steve Swickard write: "Estes Park is a quaint historic village surrounded by the Rocky Mountains and only minutes away from Rocky Mountain National Park. In the midst of this Rocky Mountain splendor, we opened our specialty store 'THE TALKING TEDDY' in the summer of 1984. The shop evolved from our love for Teddy Bears. Naming the shop was easy, for 'Talking Teddy' was the owner's favorite childhood Teddy Bear.
In the lower level 'The Rainbow Room' has opened it's doors to many special events, including: Teddy Bear making classes, Informative speakers and company Presidents' from the Teddy Bear world, special sales and parties. In the summer of 2005, We opened a new family attraction 'RAINBOW CURVE RACEWAY'. The Raceway features a custom built nostalgic wooden slot car track with 1/24th scale rental cars. For additional information, see 'Slot Cars' on our Home Page.
We hope you can visit us in person and share our shopping adventure with your entire family. The panoramic views of the Rocky Mountains, from our 360 degree deck will bring you back again and again. Thanks!"
- Steve & Susan
Estes Ark home of
The Talking Teddy
and Rainbow Curve Raceway
521 Lone Pine Drive
Estes Park, CO 80517
Phone: 970-586-6483
Fax: 970-586-2728
Email: estesark[at]msn.com
Website: www.estesark.com
Folkmanis Puppets is featuring some of our wonderful specialty retailers every month on our website. If you'd like to find a Folkmanis retailer in your area, click here. If you are a Folkmanis Retailer and would like your store featured, click here for submission details.