Business Profile: The Dollmaker’s Kattywompus

Not only does the store carry new, unique products from up-and-coming, smaller toy companies, they also have all the more traditional toy staples, such as marbles, toy dinosaurs, stuffed animals, yo-yo’s, puzzles, and spud guns, to name a few. – Photo by Gus Herrera

By Gus Herrera

The Dollmaker’s Kattywompus is one of the most unique businesses in the San Gabriel Valley. Operated by the sister trio of Pam Fitzpatrick, Jennifer Ranger, and Cindy Ranger, this year will mark the store’s 25^th anniversary with the Monrovia community.

Originally known as just The Dollmaker’s, a tribute to the 1984 Jane Fonda film of the same name, the store began as a small 300 square foot space dedicated to high quality, handmade dolls and supplies. In response to a declining doll market, the store expanded its horizons to sell toys and in 1991, when they moved to their current location, it became the Dollmaker’s Kattywompus.

The store carries a mix of retro classics and newer toys hand-selected by Cindy, store manager. “We have access to Mattel and Fischer Price, but it’s not our market. We mostly deal with smaller toy companies,” says Cindy, “once a year I go to a toy convention in Vegas. I look for products that make me say, ‘ooh, look at that,’ if I’m not feeling that, it’s just not for us. We have to look for things that not everybody else has.” In addition to these new, unique products from up-and-coming, smaller companies, they also have all the more traditional toy staples that you can no longer find anywhere else, such as marbles, toy dinosaurs, stuffed animals, yo-yo’s, puzzles, and spud guns, to name a few. So while children may be drawn to some of the newer products, parents enter a world of nostalgia when they step into the store. As a result, The Dollmaker’s Kattywompus truly does have something for everyone.

What separates the store from the larger toy chains is the laid-back, family environment. The sisters truly love what they do, especially Cindy who has a passion for toys. She treats her customers like family, knows all the children by name, and considers herself an extended grandmother. The store prides itself on being warm, welcoming, and encourages children to come inside and play. There are five or six play stations set up throughout the floor space, the effects of which are twofold. Firstly, the store serves as a community playground, many parents come in saying their children did not want to go to the park, instead they wanted to come and play in the Dollmaker’s Kattywompus. Secondly, Cindy receives instant feedback on products directly from her little consumers. She is able to gauge interest and keep up with the kids’ trends, which seem to be in constant flux.

The store prides itself on its warm, welcoming environment and encourages children to come inside and play. – Photo by Gus Herrera

The Dollmaker’s Kattywompus is much more than a toy store. In addition to their diverse collection of toys, they have several themed accessories, “silly socks are in big time right now, socks are not toys. You’re at work, dressed up, but nobody knows what you’re wearing under the slacks, you might have Godzilla socks on,” reveals Cindy, “Star Wars purses were also huge. I had no idea there were that many female Star Wars fans, but I was wrong.” They also carry books, science kits, some musical instruments, Jennifer’s very own line of baked goods called Auntie Jen’s, and, in spirit of their roots, they still carry some doll supplies (shoes, wigs, stands, etc.).

The Dollmaker’s Kattywompus is much more than a toy store. In addition to their diverse collection of toys, they have several themed accessories. – Photo by Gus Herrera

The Dollmaker’s Kattywompus also offers music and needling classes. Jennifer teaches private or group lessons in guitar, fiddle, ukulele, autoharp, mandolin, Zills, hammered and fretted dulcimers, middle-eastern percussion, and Irish drums, among others. Unlike many music studios, no contract commitment is required; just give Cindy a call to sign up. If you swing by the store on Friday nights, you can catch their weekly sidewalk concerts where you will hear a variety of international and folk music performed by the Kattywompus String Band, the inspiration for the second half of the store’s name.

The Dollmaker’s Kattywompus is located at 412 S. Myrtle Ave. in the heart of Old Town Monrovia. For more information, call (626) 357-1091 or visit them online at www.MyDollmakers.com and on Facebook.

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