Toy Story: Veach’s Celebrates 75 Years

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Step inside Veach’s Toy Station in downtown Richmond, and you’ll immediately understand why the toy store captivates the hearts of children young and old. With roughly 16,000 square feet teeming with toys, crafts, hobbies, puzzles, games, erector sets, science fair project kits and dress-up items, and an entire floor overrun with electric trains inviting you to play, the giant specialty store sells toys you won’t see anywhere else.

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“Kids’ jaws drop when they walk in,” says third-generation owner John Veach, whose grandfather founded the store in 1938. At Veach’s, you won’t find any video games, because the store focuses on educational toys for all ages with “play value.” Here, kids can engage with toys powered by their own imaginations.

Veach’s has come a long way since Louis Veach opened the Wayne County store as a five-and-dime department store and lunch counter, selling pots, pans, toys and hardware supplies. But times change, and to remain competitive, the family decided to specialize in toys in 1996. “Toys have always been our strong point,” John Veach says.

SEE ALSO: Wayne County Chocolate Trail

Some things remain the same. Veach’s has been in the same location for about 70 years and still offers layaway so families can save up for the perfect Christmas gift – a rarity today.

Personal attention and friendly customer service are keys to the store’s success over the years. Trying out toys is encouraged, and employees will open any box to show customers how to use what’s inside. “We have unique games you won’t see on television, so you have to explain them,” Veach says.

They’ll even let you take a game home to try it out and see if you like it before buying. “That makes us unique,” he says. “We trust customers – and they always bring it back.”

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That trust goes both ways, because customers constantly ask for recommendations on toys and games. “We help the customer find the right gift, toy or workbook they need to help their child over the summer. We take the time to get to know the customers.”

One family makes the trek to this eastern Indiana town all the way from Florida twice a year to stock up on games that Veach personally suggests for them. “They come back and ask, ‘What’s a brand new game that we have not seen?’ or, ‘Show us something different.’ It’s always a challenge to have something new for them,” he says.

Stories like this keep faithful customers coming back. Even when they grow up and move away, customers will ship toys from Veach’s to their children and grandchildren in other states.

In 2013, Veach’s turns 75 and will mark its anniversary with a special celebration for its customers. “It’s going to be a yearlong birthday party,” he says. No doubt, it will include plenty of fun for the whole family.

Veach's Toy Station in Richmond

Visit Veach’s

Veach’s Toy Station is located at 715 East Main St. in Richmond. To learn more, visit www.veachstoystation.com or call (765) 962-5761.

2 Comments

  1. Jessica

    August 17, 2013 at 11:45 pm

    i have 2 kids a 5 year old son ad a 9 year old daughter my son has autism and truly enjoys any kid of car train boat loves it my daughter is in to horses and I was wandering if you offered layaway program and how much it is to put down? I have to be off work for 3 month die to back surgeries and I am really trying to find way to get them some amazing toys this sept marks the 1 year that we have not had my father inlaw here with us and cant work to earn money and this is an awesome chance for me to try and make this holiday season my husband works part tme as a manager and I work at Petro. Mirplanes he y son has autism and he is bipolar with Adhd and a severe speech issue he talks like a 2 year old all he wants for christmas is firetrucks and he adores animals! I am havving back surgery sept 17th and I am trying to find a charty that would help us out y kids have the biggest hearts and my son has no friends and would rather play alone with cars he gets bullied and picked on a lot to the point that some boys started calling hm stupid and were spitting on he he thinks because the kids tell him things that he is dumb and stupid! I was wandering if you offered layaway so I can try to make things better they just lost their grandpa a year ago and then Connor my son his birthday is christmas eve and we just can find much help in the economy today so an advice or if yu could help us out it would be great I just wanna see my baby smile and be happy instead of telling me he is stupid and dumb! Thanks looking forward to maybe getting some helo

    • Jessy Yancey

      August 21, 2013 at 2:21 pm

      Hi Jessica,

      Thanks for reading My Indiana Home magazine! To learn more about Veach’s, you’ll actually ened to contact them directly. Please visit http://www.veachstoystation.com or call (765) 962-5761.
      Hope this help!

      Jessy Yancey
      editor, My Indiana Home

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