Egmont Toys

(© Saskia Vanderstichele)

Egmont Toys just opened their first store, in Ukkel/Uccle. The Belgian quality toy brand was founded in 1994 by Egmont Le Compte and is sold in (toy) shops all over the world, from Hong Kong to Mauritania. The brand’s bestseller, a collection of hand puppets/washing gloves, is even available at the gift shop of MoMA in New York. When in 1994, the company he was working for relocated, Egmont Le Compte called it quits and started a new career as an agent for a toy brand. Three years later, he teamed up with a toy designer to develop his own toys. Due to its presence at fairs such as the Spielwarenmesse in Nuremberg and Maison & Objet in Paris, Egmont Toys quickly gained popularity abroad. Over 90% of the Egmont Toys are exported worldwide, which landed the company the Brussels Export Awards in 2005. As it turns out, kids and parents in northern Europe love the wooden and wicker toys, whereas down south, all things brighthly coloured are a hit. Over in Japan, the magnetic toys are amongst the bestsellers. But what makes the toys so special? Visit the new shop and you’ll quickly find out. From soft “Doudou” toys for babies to hand puppets, a range of teddy bears (to spend every night of the year cuddling a different one), wooden mini kitchens, doll cradles, fancy dress outfits, entire castles, lamps, and bookends to decorate rooms, and wooden board games to spend weekends and evenings without television. More than enough to fill a large shop with two floors. Some of the toys were previously available from a couple of Brussels’s finest shops, such as Serneels, Casse-Noisettes, and Oliwood Toys. The new flagship store in Ukkel/Uccle has the entire range and is the first direct link between Egmont Toys and its customers. They would love to hear what you think, so don’t be shy awwing and wowing when you are over there.

EGMONT TOYS ●●●●
avenue Brugmannlaan 525, Ukkel/Uccle, 02-355.45.85, www.egmonttoys.com, ma/lu/Mo 12.30 > 18.30, di/ma/Tu > za/sa/Sa 10 > 18.30