Mount Pleasant Magazine Nov/Dec 2018

59 www.MountPleasantMagazine.com | www.ILoveMountPleasant.com | www.BestofMP.com C hristine Osborne is a kid at heart and shares that joy with everyone she meets. She and a late partner opened Wonder Works toy store 30 years ago, and she and her staff of “magic makers” continue do just that: make magic. Osborne takes pride in being the neighborhood toy store for the 40,000 people the Mount Pleasant location services and treats her customers as she would her own family, donating toys to families in need or when hardships arise. She even invites children and adults who have an idea for a product to learn how to turn their dreams into a reality and will often sell those products in the store, donating proceeds to children’s charities. Her passion has helped elevate Wonder Works to be the first store in the nation that toy companies go to for research, advice and product development for the upcoming and most-coveted toys on the market, and the Mount Pleasant community inspires her input for top toy development. Each November, the Wonder Works Elfstravaganza brings top toy companies to town for a free event where children and adults can test out the hottest toys on the market, give input and get a free toy. “We exude who Mount Pleasant is: We have heart, we meet the needs of the community, we are supported by the community and now we help develop some of the best toy products you find nationally,” Osborne beamed. “We’re here to help our community in every way we can, because why would we not?” Photo by Jess Wood. . t l s t i . | .I t l s t.c | . estO