Park Street Books and Toys Prepares to Move to Main Street

UPDATE: Park Street Books and Toys has put up their new sign outside 504 Main Street. Store owner says they are still on target to move at the end of March or the beginning of April from their current 26 Park Street location.

Original story, Jan. 11, 2013

The face of downtown Medfield is changing -- Lord's Department Store is closing its doors in February and Park Street Books and Toys is relocating to Main Street from its current 26 Park Street address in March or April.

Jim James, owner of Park Street Books and Toys says he is sad to see any Medfield business, let alone Lord's which he called "an institution and a tradition," close its doors.

"I know how hard retail is, especially with Big Box stores and online shopping competing," James said. "When sadness occurs, the best thing to do is acknowledge and honor it and then press on and do something about it. We will try to fill gaps left by the closing."

When Park Street Books and Toys opens its new doors, it will offer:

• A freshly painted and decorated shop (including an "Under the Sea" mural) 
• An expanded educational toy offering (note: PSB does not offer anything electronic or downloadable in the store)
• Medfield spirit wear (sweatshirts, t-shirts, bookbags, etc.)
• School supplies
• Greatly expanded paint-your-own-pottery (always half the cost of other PYOP places)
• Additional knitting and crafting classes
• Suitable space for drawing lessons
• SCRIP
• Increased hours (currently open 362 days a year)
• Will continue its Midnight Madness that it has had for the last five years
• Free Friday night movies and popcorn
• Jobs for teens
• and more

Said James, "We don't plan to replace Lord's or its place in the community. We plan to continue the tradition of a locally-owned, community-based store that hires local teenagers and is here for many years."