Although dolls may seem similar at first glance, there are vast variations between every manufactured miniature. Whether it is the type of composition they were crafted from, the era in which they were built or how they have been cared for in their lives, each doll tells its own story.

No one knows that better than Mary Ann Pizzolato, who has restored hundreds of dolls since she opened The Doll Hospital in Old Town Spring in 1986.

"Dolls always have been a reflection of society around them at that time, and if you look at how they were dressed, what they were made of, it will tell a story," Pizzolato said. "Every doll that comes in has its own story. And if they don't have one that [clients] know of, we create one for them from this day forward."

In addition to the many restorations performed by the business over nearly three decades, The Doll Hospital sells hundreds of dolls, bears and toys of varying price ranges and offers appraisals.

Pizzolato, a native New Yorker, said she was a chemical engineer by training and worked in the oil industry until "everything went to hell in a hand basket" in the 1980s. The owner said she has always had a passion for dolls as she had them around her home growing up, performing repairs on them with her mother.

Her work as a chemical engineer helped in her transition from the energy industry to doll restoration, Pizzolato said. Knowledge of materials and how to treat certain materials is critical as the composition of every doll varies between manufacturers and over time. Where a doll is stored also plays a significant role.

"All of those matters come into play when you're doing restoration," she said. "We do a little bit of 'dolly forensics' a lot of the time. We try to figure out what it's been through so we know what we can do to make it better."

Although there are many businesses that can perform doll repair, Pizzolato said there are few places that can perform the level of restoration The Doll Hospital does. Customers send dolls from all over the globe, from as far away as Ireland, Scotland and Germany.

"We work on any kind of doll," she said. "No doll is too old or too new."

The shop also sells a wide array of dolls, toys and accessories, such as doll clothes, shoes, furniture, strollers and tea sets. Pizzolato said the shop offers high-quality dolls and accessories, which last longer than a cheaper doll purchased at a big box store.

"I try to carry a range of prices so if you have $25 to spend, I'm going to have the best doll for $25 in terms of quality and [age] appropriateness," she said.

The Doll Hospital has moved around Old Town Spring since first opening 28 years ago, Pizzolato said, but she said the shop continues to be successful in the eclectic shopping center.

Dolls and accessories

In addition to doll restoration, The Doll Hospital sells hundreds of dolls, bears and accessories, including the following brands:

• Alexander
• Middleton
• Corolle
• Ginny by Vogue
• Ty
• Adora
• Best Pals
• Masterpiece Dolls
• Dolls by Berenguer
• Turner Dolls
• Horsman
• Dollmaker
• Melissa and Doug
• Molly P Originals

The Doll Hospital, 419 Gentry St., Ste. 102, Spring 281-350-6722, www.aaadollhospital.com, Hours: Tue.–Fri. 10 a.m.–3:30 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m.–4 p.m., Closed Sunday and Monday