Imagine you are walking around outside and stumble across a small shop. Upon opening the door, you are instantly met with the sight of piles of toys. 

Star Wars, He-Man, Transformers, Marvel, and DC action figures line the shelves of the store. 

This is Central Illinois Toys, a small, independently owned store located in Mt. Zion, where collectors and families alike visit, relive childhood memories, and, of course, buy toys.  

Small shops like this today are rare. 

More commonly, you will find big businesses like Walmart, Target, and GameStop selling the toys. However, small businesses can add to the environment of the community in the Decatur area and bring people together. 

Small businesses like this add a sense of togetherness and openness to the environment.  

“Small businesses are definitely friendlier [than corporations],” Tony Stewart, Central Illinois Toys owner, said. “I used to always say [that] when Sam Walton left, Walmart wasn’t as good anymore. When you have shareholders, they only care about the bottom dollar.”  

Stewart isn’t the only one with this belief. 

“[Central Illinois Toys] decenters places like Amazon or even Walmart, where collecting is made pointless because it’s no fun,” frequent toy store customer Mason Richards said. “That actually brings community to the community.” 

Small stores like Central Illinois Toys give experiences that big corporations cannot provide. Every visit is an experience, not just a task in a long “to-do” list.

“I like the experience of the toy store,” Andrew Garner, another Central Illinois Toys customer, said. “It’s a great place to just hang out, especially if you’re into collecting.”  

Central Illinois Toys brings together many collectors within the community, drawing more attention to small businesses over big corporations. 

Small businesses can play roles that big corporations cannot fulfill. When the Decatur GameStop closed, Central Illinois Toys was there to fill the toy-less gaps. 

“[GameStop] made a bad business decision, and they decided to close the shop in Decatur,” Stewart said. “They didn’t care about the people [who] work there. I think small businesses can fill the gaps because we don’t have things that other cities do.”  

Many big businesses rapidly shut down in different areas without considering what would happen to their employees and customers who relied on the business. 

Local businesses attract communities that the owners care about.  

Places like Central Illinois Toys help the Decatur community grow because small businesses benefit other small businesses. 

“I’ve hired people from the community to make my t-shirts,” Stewart said. “I’ve hired people from the community to do my sign. I think that’s benefited the community.”  

This is just one small business in the community that helps and brings so many people together. 

There are so many other small businesses that do the same as Stewart and his store. By supporting these local businesses, we can grow our community and benefit others by doing so.