NATURAL TOY STORE OPENS IN ROCKLAND

Bella Luna Toys, a leading internet retailer of natural toys, Waldorf art supplies, craft kits, Waldorf dolls, games, and more, has opened a new retail shop in Rockland.

The store is the first brick-and-mortar venture for the company, which has been based in midcoast Maine since 2009 but has never had a physical store.

To celebrate, Bella Luna Toys will host a grand opening on Saturday, Nov. 10 from 10-4, with a 10% discount on all purchases.

The opening party will include cider and healthy snacks for children, free gifts for all visitors, and a raffle of two $50 gift certificates.

Until now, Bella Luna has been selling toys, art supplies and craft kits, Waldorf dolls and games through its website at www.bellalunatoys.com, to customers around the world. The company was recently named one of the fastest growing Internet retailers in the country by Internet Retailer magazine.

Sarah Baldwin, a former early childhood teacher at Ashwood Waldorf School in Rockport, bought the company in 2009 and moved it to Maine from California.

She got requests all the time from visitors and locals who wanted to shop in person. “I was always happy to let customers visit our warehouse and pick up their orders,” she says, “but now we have a beautiful new store that makes it fun and easy to shop locally.”

Many of the company's toys are made locally by Maine artisans exclusively for Bella Luna, so the new store is the first opportunity to check out many of the online products in person.

The store is in the same location as the company’s warehouse at 3 Gordon Dr. in the Rockland Industrial Park.

Hours are 9-4 Monday through Friday, and 10-4 on Saturdays through Christmas.

For more information, call 207-593-7990.