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Paper Kite
Have you ever dreamed of opening a local shop filled with all of your favorite things? Meg from Lincoln, Nebraska did just that with her store Paper Kite. And among her favorite things - scooters from Micro, of course!
Throughout her years working in small retail shops through college and beyond, Meg dreamed of one day having her own shop. Down the line, an opportunity presented itself and she didn’t hesitate. She dove head first into creating the space she had imagined all those years.
And as for the name? “I knew I wanted it to be a name that sounded cheerful.” So she started spitballing with her husband Jordan and “threw names out and mixed and matched words until we finally landed on Paper Kite. It just sort of felt right!”
So, Paper Kite it was. Filled to the brim with hand picked whimsy, Paper Kite is a bright playground of colorful toys and apparel for children. Sitting among brands like Rifle Paper Co, Jellycat, and Grimms, in addition to toys from independent makers, Meg chose Micro scooters to be part of her lineup. She discovered them on a family bing trip in NYC and after purchasing one for her daughter, they were hooked! “The design, bright colors, and how much FUN she had on it…we knew it would be a hit!”
One thing we know for sure about Meg: she’s got great instincts. It’s hard not to feel the difference with top-notch Micro, but she brings her aesthetic into her “buying philosophy” as well, choosing quality brands that she knows will delight her customers. But it really boils down to what feels right. When it comes to the items she brings on, “There isn’t a real philosophy (maybe there should be 😅😂) other than if it feels like it fits in and is something that we look at and love! Our shop is filled with color so that’s always a bonus.”
The year 2020 brought a new wave of challenges, and shops like Paper Kite met adversity with grit and ingenuity. Many jumped into new tech advances and creative offerings to keep their stores running. “The pandemic forced us out of our comfort zone” Meg said. With their comfort zone being brick & mortar, and a website being new territory. “We had never had an online store before. We had talked about it for years…and just never really done it.” But talk about translating a physical space onto the internet! Paperkiteshop.com gives all the colorful cozy vibes, and offers delightful surprises with every click. Not quite as fun as in-person shopping, but darn close!
The push to shop locally is something we’re passionate about here at Micro. Not only does it empower shop owners like Meg, but it connects communities and brings joy to neighborhoods! Investing in local businesses is important, even if circumstances pause our in-person interactions. For Paper Kite during the pandemic, “Our community near and far really showed up and shopped small! We had people out delivering packages, and gifts being sent out daily within our community. It was really special.”
So, if you’ve ever wondered what it might take to chase your own dream and open a toy store, or why these shop owners do it, take it from Meg: it’s all about joy! “I love watching people come in everyday and explore and experience the shop. It’s really fun to watch small children up to grandparents find joy while shopping with us.”
Did you know there’s a Micro retailer near you? Find your local Toy Store with our Store Locator.
