About Us

Timbuk Toys is a local, independent, Specialty Toy retailer based in Denver, Colorado. The company was founded in 1993 and offers toys that help kids “Learn through Play!”

Mission Statement from 1993
Our products, services and stores connect our customers to the joy of play, imagination and discovery. In what we sell and how we do it, FUN is at the heart of our business!

Purpose as of 2022
Over the decades that we have been in business, our focus and understanding has evolved. The importance of play in childhood is now better understood, and we find ourselves amazingly aligned with recommendations from leading specialists in medicine, developmental sciences and education. Children need to play to be healthy, and we specialize in providing toys that support informal education and open-ended exploration. We are proud to supply great toys which help kids grow in cognitive, communicative, sensory, emotional and physical development. We are proud to provide games and activities that help families play together. And we are proud that FUN is still at the heart of our business!

Company Structure
Timbuk Toys includes two brick-and-mortar stores in Denver and one in Littleton, Colorado. We also offer shopping through our website. All our locations are connected to each other and operate under the same management, run on the same technology, and share the same inventory. We provide employment for over 35 people, ranging from high school students to senior citizens and representing a wide variety of cultural backgrounds.

Company Staff
Sallie Kashiwa is the founder and president of Timbuk Toys and continues to be directly involved in daily management. Each store is run by a store manager with oversight from Neela, our General Manager. Product selection is carefully curated by Sallie and Neela with input from other managers and staff. We have a team at the warehouse to receive and organize the inventory, and then the toys are packed in our van and delivered to the stores. Larry is in charge of technology and our website, and Paul manages marketing and social media. It’s the people who make the business, and together we have created Timbuk Toys!

History
Timbuk Toys was started in 1993 as a tiny store on a quiet street in Park Hill; one of Denver’s old, historic neighborhoods. At that point the shop was called Presents of Mind. Families enjoyed the classic charm of the old-style toyshop where children were invited behind the counter to help pull the lever on the antique cash register. Customers were provided a place to wrap their own gifts, and a pair of squawky lovebirds drew as much attention as the toys.

In 1997 name was changed to Timbuk Toys and the business moved and became one of the first tenants in the University Hills Shopping Center. The store had two locations within that center, and then eventually moved to its current location in the University Hills Plaza. In 2002 Timbuk Toys opened a second store when the Lowry Town Center first opened. Two more stores were added in Highlands Ranch and Lakewood. In 2020, due to the Pandemic, those two stores were closed and a new store was opened in Aspen Grove. There have been a lot of moves and changes over the years, but today we are very happy to offer three strong stores as well as a new website, launching in 2022.

Awards
We thank our customers for their votes, and we thank these publications for the honor of these awards!

2024 Colorado Community Newspapers, Best of the Best Winner

2023 Colorado Parent Magazine, Family Favorite Winner

2022 Colorado Parent Magazine, Family Favorite Winner

2021 Colorado Parent Magazine, Family Favorite Winner

2020 Colorado Parent Magazine, Family Favorite Winner

2019 Colorado Parent Magazine, Family Favorite Winner
2019 Colorado Community Newspapers, Best of the Best Winner

2018 Colorado Parent Magazine, Family Favorite Winner
2018 Daisy Award from Macaroni Kid
2018 Colorado Community Newspapers, Best of the Best Winner
2018 HulaFrog, Most Loved

2017 Colorado Parent Magazine, Family Favorite Winner
2017 Colorado Community Newspapers, Best of the Best Winner

2016 Colorado Parent Magazine, Family Favorite Gold Winner
2016 Colorado Community Newspapers, Best of the Best Winner
2016 Daisy Award from Macaroni Kid

2015 Colorado Parent Magazine, Family Favorite Gold Winner
2015 Colorado Community Newspapers, Best of the Best Winner
2015 Daisy Award from Macaroni Kid

2014 Denver A-List, Best Children's gifts
2014 Colorado Community Newspapers, Best of the Best Winner
2014 Colorado Parent Magazine, Family Favorite Gold Winner
2014 Daisy Award from Macaroni Kid

2013 Colorado Community Newspapers, Best of the Best Winner
2013 Colorado Parent Magazine, Family Favorite Gold Winner

2012 Colorado Community Newspapers, Best of the Best Winner
2012 Colorado Parent Magazine, Family Favorite Gold Winner

2011 Colorado Community Newspapers, Best of the Best Winner
2011 Colorado Parent Magazine, Family Favorite Gold Winner

2010 Denver A-List, Best Children's Gifts
2010 Colorado Community Newspapers, Best of the Best Winner
2010 Colorado Parent Magazine, Family Favorite Gold Winner

2009 Colorado Parent Magazine, Family Favorite Gold Winner

2007 Kid’s Pages Family Magazine, Toy Store Category, “Best Places for Families 2007”

2005 Colorado Parent Magazine, Family Favorite Gold Winner

2001 Westward Best of Denver, Best Toy Store

Trademarks