When Joanna Mileos was looking to transition out of her 20-year broadcasting career she was exploring what would come next for her. So when she discovered that the original owner of the Granville Island Toy Company was retiring she jumped at the chance to take on the business, after all, she'd shopped there as a child and was a huge fan. That was in 2007, and 10 months later she and her husband, Craig Hartman, opened a second location of the iconic store on Main Street at 17th.
Now in its 30th year, the Granville Island Toy Company consistently claims “best of” awards, most recently winning the Vancouver Courier's “Stars of Vancouver” award for Best Toy Store for 2014. Known for their carefully chosen collection of everything from party favours to games and puzzles, toys and more, the Toy Company is stocked with everything you could hope for. But for Joanna the fun is in the hunt. “I love looking for that 'wow' toy, like discovering Magformers,” she says of the hugely popular construction sets. “It's always fun shopping for toys!” If their awards are anything to go by, it would appear that two generations of Vancouver toy shoppers agree.
