Inside the Grand America Hotel in Salt Lake City is a magical place* called JouJou, the French word for “toy.” Packed with handmade finds, eclectic designs, and colorful confections, JouJou feels at once fantastically modern and quaintly old fashioned.
I would peek inside JouJou’s beautifully dressed windows several times a day on my walk to and from the Alt Summit conference. Having decided that I needed to buy Levi a souvenir toy, I finally popped into JouJou before heading to the airport. Sure enough, the over-the-top shop lives up to its tagline, “A Curious Boutique for Toys & Treats.” An 8 ft. tall talking robot stands guard while a candy organ plays music when shoppers walk across its lighted interactive floor. European and independent brands are displayed on shelves and in bookcases; this isn’t your everyday toy store.
Although I toyed with the idea (get it?) of buying Levi car-shaped crayons, I ultimately chose Peter Penguin by Ambi Toys. Normally, I would never spend $20 on a bath toy for Levi, but something about this particular piece of plastic seemed so perfect for my toddler that I splurged. Sure enough, he loves it! Levi was so totally consumed by Peter Penguin the first night he played with it that he didn’t ask for any additional bath toys.
My iPhone photos don’t do the beautifully designed JouJou toy store any justice, so here are some professional pics of my new favorite boutique:
*Not that the Grand America Hotel isn’t magical in and of itself. I’m not sure I’ve ever stayed anywhere so swanky. I mean, it’s a AAA Five Diamond hotel!
{collage images via my iPhone; additional photos via Watts Architects}
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