Today we’d like to introduce you to Andre and Devon Boulay.
No trip to Northampton is complete without a visit to A2Z Science & Learning Store. Experience an extraordinary inventory of educationally based, high quality toys and games for children of all ages, and for the kid in every adult. An added bonus: free modern yo-yo lessons offered three days a week!
Northampton native Jack Finn and his wife, Priscilla, started the store in 1987 with the mission to encourage, enrich, and uplift children using the wonder of science and learning. Recently, the couple sold the business to Devon and André Boulay, who are both long time employees at the store. Together they are excited to be celebrating 30 years of amazing toys in the valley!
As a longtime customer of A2Z, André has always understood the significance of the store to children. As a boy, he had fond recollections of visits to Northampton to visit A2Z. Extra special were the times he’d march into the store clutching a post card he’d received in the mail telling him a free gift awaited in honor of his birthday. He still remembers a holographic turtle sticker he chose and where he placed it on his bedroom wall. A2Z is excited to have kickstarted the Birthday Club back up and invites you to sign up your child for their birthday so they too can come pick a present from the treasure chest on their special day.
A2Z strives to promote fun and play for everyone with game nights, play tables, and a staff that has taken the time to gain the product knowledge and help show you the amazing things sold in every category of toy. They can truly help you find that perfect toy or just help you have a fun afternoon.
A2Z is also an inspiring reminder of the amazing impact a toy can have on a person. You can probably think of a toy that was so interesting or so compelling that they have made an impact on your life. It does not have to be a large toy and it doesn’t have to be expensive. It just has the ability to get you thinking about science or about history or about strategy or about make-believe or a bunch of other things. This simple act of playing with a toy can then start a whole chain reaction of thinking, exploring and learning. Careers have been launched and inventions have been born. These are the types of toys you can find at A2Z.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
As a brick & mortar retailer, battling with internet retailers is a constant problem facing us all. However, what you can’t get online is walking into a store and getting that amazing experience. We focus on creating exciting and interesting displays full of surprise and wonder. Throughout the store there are opportunities to pick up toys and just play (regardless of your age!) It’s all about the hands on & in person experience that cannot be replaced.
Please tell us about A2Z Science & Learning Store.
A2Z is an inspiring reminder of the amazing impact a toy can have on a person. You can probably think of a toy that was so interesting or so compelling that they have made an impact on your life. It does not have to be a large toy and it doesn’t have to be expensive. It just has the ability to get you thinking about science or about history or about strategy or about make-believe or a bunch of other things. This simple act of playing with a toy can then start a whole chain reaction of thinking, exploring and learning. Careers have been launched and inventions have been born. These are the types of toys you can find at A2Z.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
Since we have recently acquired the store from previous owners, we have been lucky enough to take a lot of previous learning experience with other businesses and execute them the way we wanted here… So we are actually in some ways starting over the way we want but with a 30-year-old business. 🙂
Contact Info:
- Address: A2Z Science and Learning Store
57 King Street,
Northampton, MA 01060 - Website: A2ZScience.com
- Phone: 413-586-1611
- Email: Contact@A2ZScience.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/A2ZScience
- Facebook: Facebook.com/A2ZScience
- Twitter: Twitter.com/A2ZScience
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/a2z-science-and-learning-store-northampton
- Other: youtube.com/A2ZScience
Image Credit:
A2Z Science & Learning Store
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