When Toys & Candy On the Park owners Fred and Karen Rosenberg moved to Kingwood 28 years ago, Fred worked as vice president of sales at Joyce Office Products and Karen worked as the director of nursing at Community Health Choice. But when they lost one of their sons to a drunken driver 24 years ago, Fred said they also lost their interest in corporate jobs.


It was this life-shaking event that pushed the Rosenbergs to finally create a toy store of their own—one they said they believe their son would enjoy, Fred said. 


Even after celebrating On the Park’s 20th anniversary in March, he said the store’s employees continue to ensure that the store is less retail-oriented and more people-oriented.


“We like to call ourselves not a store but a community center where people can come to from the neighborhood,” Fred said. “We really don’t sell toys, and we really don’t sell candy. We sell an experience, and we sell an atmosphere.”


The Rosenbergs carry more than 600 chocolates and candy options and 3,000 types of toys at the independent specialty toy store in Kingwood.


The atmosphere of the toy store has a wonderland feel—trees with strings of lights scatter the floor and multicolored umbrellas hang from the ceiling. Visitors can peruse an array of candy, such as chocolate truffles, cotton candy and gumballs. The toy selection includes everything from coloring books and board games to stuffed animals and dinosaur figurines. On the Park also has a playroom in the back of the store, so that anyone can bring their kids inside to enjoy the experience, not just paying customers, Fred said.


“I will not sell products if I don’t think it’s the right product [for the customer],” Fred said.


For the holiday season, Karen said On the Park’s Santa Claus will make an appearance. The money raised from Santa’s visit goes to local families in need.


Assistant Manager Sarah Flint has worked at On the Park for almost four years but has been coming to the toy store since she was an infant.


“I mean, honestly, it’s pretty much the dream job,” Flint said. “The people are great, the co-workers are great, Fred and Karen are probably some of the best people I’ve ever met in my life, and I’ve known them since I was born, so it’s just all amazing here.”



Toys & Candy On the Park


1271 Kingwood Drive, Kingwood
281-361-6453
www.facebook.com/toysandcandyonthepark
Hours: Mon.-Sat. 10 a.m.-7 p.m., Sun. noon-5 p.m.