Brea McHenry, owner of Toybox Innovations, shows one of the 3D printers she uses to print toys for her business. (Photo by Kristi R. Garabrandt)
EAST LIVERPOOL — Just ahead of the holiday shopping season, two new businesses featuring custom products are set to open in downtown East Liverpool.
Toybox Innovations owned by Brea McHenry and Hat Foundry owned by her husband David are set to officially open Monday in a shared space at 631 Broadway St.
According to Brea, the businesses promise to bring innovative services to the heart of downtown.
Brea described Toybox Innovations as a business that will introduce cutting-edge 3D printing to the area.
With one of the 3D printers set up in the front window of the store where the process can be observed by passersby, she creates an array of 3D printed creations, which according to Brea are from global designers, but she prints them locally in East Liverpool. She currently has an inventory of 3D printed multi-colored toys including dragons and a variety of other items perfect for children or gift giving.
The business can also do laser engraving and personalized items, which Brea said adds a unique touch to a wide variety of products.
Hat Foundry, according to David, also lets customers order custom created and personalized hats, T-shirts and hoodies. Customers can order online, or they can come into the business and watch their products made. David said that in the store, customers can select a hat and a custom patch and have their hat made on site in less than a minute. He also noted the new shirt printing machine for the business will allow him to print full-color photographs and personalized designs directly onto shirts in under five minutes. The T-shirts, according to David, are made in America of 100% cotton. The business also offers wallets, tumblers and more
Both businesses offer online ordering by visiting www.toyboxinnovations.com and www.hatfoundry.com.
The couple started their businesses as home-based businesses which set up at a variety of events. They have since grown too big to continue in their home and felt ready to expand their businesses to a storefront. The couple started their businesses about a year and a half ago and have done so well that Brea was able to quit her full-time job to focus on the business. While they will continue to do some vendors events, the primary focus for the business will be the store.
They are still trying to determine permanent business hours and anticipate being open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Brea and David will hold a grand opening for their businesses on Oct. 12 with a variety of activities for the kids, Rusty Bowl Taco food truck, Arctic Ice and more.
The grand opening goes from noon to 5 p.m., with face painting from noon to 2 p.m. Rusty Bowl Taco will be on site at 3:30 p.m.
“Both businesses are excited to contribute to the revitalization of East Liverpool’s downtown and offer unique, hands-on experiences for customers,” Brea said.
kgarabrandt@mojonews.com