The 3 Cheeky Monkeys

I could be talking about a few of my kids, I mean who couldn't, but The 3 Cheeky Monkeys is actually one of my new favourite stores located in Yarragon in West Gippsland, Victoria. 

 

Owner, Melissa Donders, stocks a range of the best toys I personally have ever seen, and in the lead up to Christmas, my kids and I have been frequent visitors. 

 

Melissa, having worked in clothing retail, had the opportunity to run a Pop Up Christmas store, but not wanting to stock just Christmas decorations all year round, decided, at 2 a.m. one morning that she was going to sell European toys.  As she travels to Holland fairly regularly, due to her husband being Dutch, she fell in love with the toy shops over there, and having always stocked up on toys for her daughters while away, she knew that other children would love them too.  This is just one of the great things about her store; there is an abundance of fabulous wooden toys, items that are not advertised on television, and (thankfully for parents!), none of them require batteries!

 

She also sells a range of gorgeous handmade clothing for babies and toddlers.

 

Her personal favourites are the amazing hand puppets, which yesterday my 4 year old discovered for the first time.  He particularly liked the hippopotamus and the big green lizard!  She also loves the Bilbo, which is something resembling a half turtle shell, which you sit in and can spin, or scoot, or you can put things in and engage in all sorts of imaginative play.  I actually bought one of these for my 4 year old for Christmas, so it will be interesting to see what my kids do with it once they get their hands on it!  I think even my 10 year old will love it!

 

My baby girl is getting one of these bunnies for Christmas!!

 

One thing I love is the good old fashioned service and personal attention you receive.  Every time I go in Melissa is always there more than willing to hold my baby girl while I search for the perfect toy, and she gives fantastic advice.  She loves her stock and this really shows through her enthusiasm and knowledge regarding every item.  There is a genuine friendliness about the store as Melissa enjoys getting to know the babies and children that come into the store, and has made real friendships with many of her customers.

 

Melissa is also about supporting the local community and offers discounts to schools, kinders, playgroups and day care centres.

 

The 3 Cheeky Monkeys is open 7 days a week, from 10am to 4.30pm on weekdays and from 10am to 5pm on weekends.  

 

You can find The 3 Cheeky Monkeys on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-3-Cheeky-Monkeys/169123689893351