Like a lot of Seattle-based kids’ resale shops, 99 Monkeys Repack and Play Toys is filled with colorful, one-of-a-kind inventory that’s always changing. But 99 Monkeys takes the concept a step further by filling its space with reasonably priced, new-to-you toys that are saved from the landfill and repackaged by hand using 100 percent compostable and biodegradable materials.
Waldorf school parents Megan Gonzales and Alex Alexander opened 99 Monkeys on Greenwood Avenue in April of 2012. Toys are meticulously organized into sections, including musical instruments, dolls, puzzles, and action toys. A notable amount of the stock includes throwback items from the 70s and 80s, with several good-as-new Care Bears offered for between $9 and $15 and vintage View-Masters priced in the $10 to $20 dollar range. A cart filled with stacked trays of $.99 trinkets is fun for kids to explore, and low tables with sample toys give little hands plenty to do while adults shop.
Can you talk a little more about what sets 99 Monkeys apart from other resale shops?
We’re glad you asked! We start with toys that have been previously loved. Some are donated (which we get super excited about, of course). Others we purchase from various individuals who bring them to us, or we locate them on our own. We check them to see that they aren’t on the toy recall list. Then, they get cleaned and sanitized, receive batteries if needed, are tested if needed. All are repackaged in biodegradable and compostable shrink-wrap on recycled, and sometimes reused, cardboard.
This, as you may imagine, is quite a process. And all that may be happening for a toy we sell for $1.99! It’s the same process, labor and all, for the $1.99 toy as it is for the $19.99 toy in our place.
Why did you choose to open 99 Monkeys in the Phinney/Greenwood neighborhood?
We chose to open in Phinney/Greenwood because we were familiar with the neighborhood and knew it was family-oriented, earth and environmentally conscious and highly walkable. We wanted to put the toy store where people could think of it as their neighborhood place to bring the kids and play with cool toys – buy or not – and maybe meet other parents or hear about other resources. Because we are all about saving toys from the landfill and the reuse of safe, serviceable, fun toys and kid stuff, we picked PGW because of the like-mindedness all around our store in the families and individuals who live there.
Why should a parent consider buying reused toys for their children?
New toys are awesome. We recommend Top Ten Toys, our neighbors down the street, when customers come looking for something in our store that we don’t have, or want a new toy. Sometimes, though, you just want to give your kiddos a fun treat that doesn’t cost much and can be opened up like something new!
