A Tiny Kingdom

×

Expand

Photo by Keith McCoy.

0912 A Tiny Kingdom

A Tiny Kingdom owner Brannon Bruno, better known as Coach Bruno, in the toy store’s sports section.

After years of volunteering to coach his sons’ sports teams, Brannon Bruno knew that he liked working with children.

“I’m a big kid at heart. I’ve always collected toys myself,” the owner of A Tiny Kingdom said. “I just love being around the kids. It seemed like a perfect fit.”

He opened the store in Mountain Brook Village in June 2011.

 “Most of the kids that come here know me as Coach Bruno from being on one of my sons’ sports teams,” he said. “They just come here and hang out and play video games.”

As a family-run business, A Tiny Kingdom wants the parents and kids who come into their store to feel at home. Bruno’s wife, Stephanae, is main buyer for the store. The store’s party planner, Bruno’s mother-in-law, Gigi Redmon, is known as “Gigi” to all of the kids who visit. It’s also what her grandchildren call her.

Bruno and his wife have two boys, Hayden and Leo, who attend Crestline Elementary. They enjoy helping around the shop for pocket money.

“It works out for me because they just end up spending it all here,” Bruno said.

The store is more than a toy store. It’s a party destination as well as a safe after-school or summer time hang out place for kids.

Many kids have accounts set up by their parents for them to use to purchase Icees or snacks when they visit the store.

“We’re really open with the kids. They can come play here and be safe,” Bruno said.

Their merchandise includes dress-up clothes, dolls, sports memorabilia, jerseys and much more.

For birthday parties, the birthday girl or boy can register for gifts they’d like to receive, and party guests can go online and purchase the gifts for their friend. Gift wrapping is included so that it will be ready at the party.

Bruno said they are always on the lookout for new products and toys that kids would enjoy.

“New products come in every week or so,” he said. “It’s like Christmas. We get to open new toys every couple of days.”

A little over year into the start of A Tiny Kingdom, Bruno has learned that enjoying the business is one of the most important aspects.

“I hope people can see that I enjoy it. It doesn’t really feel like work when I’m hanging out with the kids and people I know.”