The former Napa Sherry Auto Supply store at 9212 Roosevelt Way N.E. may look like just another empty storefront in a down economy, but there’s actually plenty going on behind the scenes.
Math ’n’ Stuff, located just down the street at 8926 Roosevelt Way N.E., has been renting the storefront since summer and using it as storage, but owners Gini and Tom Wingard-Phillips have much bigger plans for the space that include possibly creating a playroom out of the front area.
“It’s going to be more than just storage,” Tom Wingard-Phillips said. “We hope to be able to get it cleaned up enough and get it organized enough that we can do a Lego-based birthday party later this month.”
And they hope it will be the first of many such Lego-based parties and other events at the location, including possibly some knitting events to help expose the store’s yarn supply, Wingard-Phillips said.
Gini Wingard-Phillips started Math ’n’ Stuff 18 years ago, and it’s been at its current location since January 1997. After a scare that involved plans to turn the building into a four-story development, the Wingard-Phillips bought the building a year and a half ago.
And although Tom Wingard-Phillips says the quirky building – a former gas station and tool store – is an ideal fit for the educational toy store (and then some), they’re excited about the possibilities the new location could provide.
“We expect to be at the Napa location for quite a while,” he said.
If you’re interested in having a party at the location after it’s cleaned up, or just want more information about the space, call the store at 522-8891.
“We don’t have any absolute set plans for it,” Wingard-Phillips said, “so if we can accommodate anybody’s wishes, we will try to do that.”
