By DENNIS J. WRIGHT
dwright@PhoenixvillNews.com

PHOENIXVILLE — Seeing a need for creative activities, Generations — Things Old And New, 113 Main Street, have added products from an award-winning designer and manufacturer of educational toys and children's products.

Owner Susan Meadows said that her distributor suggested adding to her inventory of items some products from Melissa & Doug, who've received the prestigious Parent's Choice Awards, Children's Choice Award, and Best Toys of the Year from Child magazine.

"I saw a need for creative activities," said Meadows. "We've had their product for a few weeks, and it's been selling well. It's nice to have some high quality art supplies and children's toys close to the downtown."

Meadows has set up two displays of Melissa & Doug items. Upon entering the store, off to the left side are numerous wooden jigsaw puzzles, photo jigsaw puzzles, crafts and play sets.

"These are toys that stimulate the mind and parents can be involved with their children," she said. "We have everything from crafts, puzzles and even police officer and fireman role-playing sets."

The second display of Melissa & Doug items is located down the main aisle of the store off to the right.

That display consists of a plethora of art supplies, such as easel accessory kits, rainbow stamp pads, watercolor kits and spill proof paint cups.

One obvious distinction to Melissa & Doug items are the unique design of their crayons.

"They are triangular instead of round," said Meadows. "They are made that way so they won't roll on the floors. It's the same way with their gluesticks."

On the other side of the two-sided display is an assortment of sketch pads, such as drawing pads, easel pads, storytelling paper and fingerpaint pads.

"We wanted to make sure we had a wide variety of pads to meet the needs," said Meadows. "I was impressed with their inventory, so I wanted to make sure I had a few of each."

Celebrating her one-year anniversary at 113 Main Street, Meadows said she's found some success in her grandfather's former place.

"My grandfather, James Lengel, used to own and operate Lengel's Drug Store in this same location until the late 1990s," she said. "The building stayed in the family, and some of the fixtures from the old drug store remain inside the new business."

Generations — Things Old And New was run by Meadows' mother, Dorothy Adams, for 35 years, she said.

"I took over for her when she became ill," said Meadows. "I quit my job as a pediatric nurse after 27 years. We had some success in Kimberton, but I finally saw the light and moved the store into Phoenixville."

Along with the Melissa & Doug inventory, the store features everything from artwork, lamps and candles, earth rugs, lotions, books and antique collectibles.

Noting that a lot of the fixtures inside the store are from her grandfather's old business, Meadows said that there has been some reminiscing.

"A few people have stopped in and shared stories with me about the old drug store," she said. "We had another great Black Friday. The toys have been popular and we have plenty of them."

Generations — Things Old And New is located at 113 Main Street, Phoenixville. Their phone number is 610-933-8100. Hours of operation are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesday through Saturday; and open until 9 p.m. on First Fridays.