Zany Brainy
Encyclopedia
Zany Brainy was a United States
retail store chain owned by FAO Schwarz that sold educational toys and multi-media products aimed at children ages 4–12. Its merchandise included games and puzzles; infant development toys; books, audiocassettes, CDs and videos; arts and crafts; building toys and trains; computer software; electronic learning aids and musical instruments; science toys; plush toys and dolls; and sports-themed toys. The stores offered daily events such as workshops, concerts, and author appearances.
David Schlessinger, who had earlier started the now-defunct Encore Books
chain of bookstores, founded Zany Brainy in 1991. The company's CEO was Thomas Vellios. The company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy
protection on May 15, 2001, having faced financial difficulties since acquiring rival company Noodle Kidoodle
in 2000. Later in 2001, Zany Brainy's assets were sold to Right Start
. At the time of the sale, Zany Brainy had 187 retail locations nationwide.
David Schlessinger and Tom Vellios have founded another successful retail chain, Five Below
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
retail store chain owned by FAO Schwarz that sold educational toys and multi-media products aimed at children ages 4–12. Its merchandise included games and puzzles; infant development toys; books, audiocassettes, CDs and videos; arts and crafts; building toys and trains; computer software; electronic learning aids and musical instruments; science toys; plush toys and dolls; and sports-themed toys. The stores offered daily events such as workshops, concerts, and author appearances.
David Schlessinger, who had earlier started the now-defunct Encore Books
Encore Books
Encore Books was a regional chain of bookstores based in the eastern United States until its closure in 1999.- Founding :Encore Books was started by David Schlessinger, who went on to found the Zany Brainy and retail chains...
chain of bookstores, founded Zany Brainy in 1991. The company's CEO was Thomas Vellios. The company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy
Bankruptcy
Bankruptcy is a legal status of an insolvent person or an organisation, that is, one that cannot repay the debts owed to creditors. In most jurisdictions bankruptcy is imposed by a court order, often initiated by the debtor....
protection on May 15, 2001, having faced financial difficulties since acquiring rival company Noodle Kidoodle
Noodle Kidoodle
Noodle Kidoodle was a United States retail chain that sold educational toys from 1993-2000.The company's slogan was "Kids learn best when they're having fun!". The chain operated stores in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Michigan, Illinois, Kansas and Texas...
in 2000. Later in 2001, Zany Brainy's assets were sold to Right Start
Right Start
Right Start is a retailer of children's products. They began in 1985 as a catalog company, based out of Los Angeles. The company was founded by Stan Fridstein, Lenny Targon, and Harry Rosenthal who identified a growing market in young first time parents who were looking for expertise and guidance...
. At the time of the sale, Zany Brainy had 187 retail locations nationwide.
David Schlessinger and Tom Vellios have founded another successful retail chain, Five Below
Five Below
Five Below is a privately held chain of discount stores found in a number of states. The store, as the name suggests, sells products that cost no more than $5.00. The chain is aimed at teenagers and pre-teens, but has many products for adults...
.
