Thinker Toys
- 21 hours ago
- 3 min read
Interview conducted by Julia Hernandez with Kelley Blank, owner, Thinker Toys
Q: How long has Thinker Toys been here? Was this the first location, and who were the original owners?
A: “Thinker Toys has been part of the community for 32 years. Our very first location was in Peggy Sunday’s [7880 SW Capitol Hwy, 7890, Portland, OR 97219] on the viaduct at the end of the Village. The original owners were Joan and Tye Steinbach. My husband, Zack, and I took over ownership in 2024, and we’ve been in this location ever since.”
Q: When did taking over this business become your passion?
A: “I actually come from a retail design background. I was a retail designer at Nike, so learning more about the products became a passion for me. Through that, I gained a much deeper understanding of play. Play is a more passionate skill than people realize. It’s such a powerful way to live your best life.”
Q: Has your view of childhood changed since stepping into the role of owner of Thinker Toys?
A: “Absolutely. It’s made me value this time so much more. I’m savoring every moment of each and every day of my children’s lives.”
Q: How has your team supported your vision and mission for Thinker Toys under your ownership?
A: “Our team is the heart and soul of our store. Coming from corporate America into a neighborhood mom-and-pop toy store has been a humbling experience. In the last two years, I’ve learned so much from our team and from their years of experience with Thinker Toys. We’ve really gelled together, and you can see that through the incredible customer service they provide every day.”
Q: Community has always been a big part of Thinker Toys. Can you tell me more about the relationship between the store and the community?
A: “The community is the reason Thinker Toys still exists. The previous owners, Joan and Tye Steinbach, set an incredible example of giving back and creating a true two-way relationship with the community.
One way we’ve continued that tradition is by building our Kids Business Stand. My husband, Zack, is an entrepreneur, and when he was growing up, there weren’t many opportunities for children to have a little piece of real estate to launch a small business. We created the Kids Business Stand so that if you’re a child with a business idea, you can rent the stand and get your business up and running.
The fact that we’re still here speaks volumes about the Multnomah Village community and neighborhoods across Portland. People are intentional about supporting local businesses and keeping small businesses alive.”
Q: Are there particular products you wish families knew more about or that you feel children could benefit from?
A: “What we try to do is help families find the toy that serves their child best and empowers them. For example, if a child is behind in reading skills, we might recommend toys that strengthen fine motor development because those skills create important foundations for learning. We may also recommend games that develop visual attention to detail, which can support stronger reading skills.
We have so many products that build important developmental skills while children are simply having fun.”
Q: What was your favorite toy as a child?
A: “Twister always takes me back to my childhood. I have so many wonderful memories of playing it with my family. Today there are so many new versions of Twister, and I enjoy seeing how it’s evolved over the years.
Everything always comes back to play. Play is one of the most important skills people often overlook. It’s such a powerful way to live your best life."
Interview conducted by Julia Hernandez, Kinderprep, Multnomah Village Business Association Membership Chair, at Thinker Toys in July 2026.
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