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Beginning Sunday, Nov. 24, Josephson will offer 35 percent off merchandise. The promotion will run for one week, through Sunday, Dec. 1. The Mamaroneck store will also offer its traditional services, such as free gift wrapping, gift cards with no expiration and superior personal service.
“We’ve always had a quiet business the week before Thanksgiving,’’ Josephson said. “We wanted generate the business this year, and allow customers to save big money and give back to the community. We’re starting early because Hanukkah is earlier this year, and I feel Thanksgiving is a family day."
Toy Box is the largest independent toy store in Westchester County. Josephson has owned the business for 18 years. He also owned a toy store in the Bronx before coming to Mamaroneck. He believes retail stores should be closed on Thanksgiving.
“Days like Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s Day, they should remain as holidays,’’ Josephson said. “They’re taking six days of business and putting it into another day. There’s only so much you can get from a pizza pie. Whether it’s six days or seven days, it’s still going to be 12 slices.”
Besides pressure from big box retailers, Josephson also feels competition from the Internet. “Today you have the husband and wife working,’’ Josephson said. “They’ll come home, make dinner and do their shopping on the Internet. But things still go wrong on the Internet. It’s usually in the last few weeks before Christmas when they start to panic and my business starts to fly.”
And unlike internet services, Josephson built his business on personal service and customer loyalty. He still maintains the passion for his career, and his commitment to service has not wavered.
“I’ve always believed in that,’’ Josephson said. “We have a niche in that field. We carry the products people want. We’re helping people in the aisles and giving them free parking and a lot of other things to make it a good experience. I’m still giving the service we’ve always delivered.”
Toy Box is open 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday. It is located at 300 W. Boston Post Road and the phone number is 914-698-7110.
