Gepetto’s Workshop has been bringing the best toys to Central Wisconsin for over 40 years! We have a large focus on educational, wooden, and classic toys. These toys come from all over the globe. We are always researching new toys to bring into our store, so that every time you arrive, there are new treasures to find!
Gepetto’s Workshop first opened its doors in September of 1981 and has been locally owned and operated since.
It all started with memories and a dream. Local resident, Bonnie Brown, had memories of an old fashioned toy store that she loved as a child. She loved looking back on her times as a young one, going into the shop with a feeling of wonder and excitement. And she wanted to bring that feeling back to her community.
She started off in a little hole in the wall. It was a small space, but it worked. However, she quickly outgrew the space. She ended up moving to our current location and then growing the store to expand again into the neighboring storefront, taking up two spaces on downtown Main Street. This is the way the store stands today, but there is one more addition that Bonnie needed to make to create her landmark destination. She installed custom wood shelving along her 4,000 sq feet of space along with custom wood display areas. And if that’s not enough, she also installed a grand stairway leading to an upstairs with an additional 500 sq feet of space and more custom shelving to match. Bonnie put all of her heart into her toy store. It showed and it became the well-loved gem that is today.
Lindsey Jurgella was born and raised in Stevens Point and had been to Gepetto’s Workshop many times as a child. She remembered the joy it brought her, so when looking to gain retail experience while attending entrepreneurship school, she sought out a job at her favorite toy shop. Having waited on Bonnie many times at a local pizza joint, she had already gotten to know Bonnie, and was quickly hired. Little did she know that 34 years into her career, Bonnie was looking into retirement, but she didn’t want her precious store to disappear. So, when Bonnie found Lindsey who loved the toy shop and was gaining an associates degree in business management and entrepreneurship, she seemed like the perfect fit! And she was! Lindsey learned everything there was to learn about Gepetto’s Workshop and all of its toys. She had an endless amount of drive and passion that continues today. Everyone can see it when walking through the front doors, eyes wide with wonder.
Gepetto’s Workshop is an old fashioned toy store. Walking into Gepetto’s Workshop is like taking a step back in time.With classic toys filling every bit of space on our unique wooden shelves, customers can spend hours browsing through our toy selection.
Mission Statement
It is our mission to spread a lifetime of joy and nostalgia to our community and beyond with the world’s greatest toys!
