Shining Star

While the new Legacy Place shopping center has many chain stores, it also has some great local gems mixed in ... such is the case with Stellabella Toys. A friend mentioned "discovering" it and told me I had to check it out, and so going on her recommendation, I took a look and was just as pleased. Stellabella is a "Best of Boston" store for good reason (the location in Dedham is this local chain's 4th store; guess it shows we Metro West-ers don't get to Cambridge too often!). It has a great selection of toys - Alex art supplies, Melissa and Doug, Corolle dolls and accessories, Playmobil and Thomas the Tank Engine, to name a few. The store is well organized and things are easy to find (love those hanging signs that point you in the right direction!), and if you need help, the friendly and knowledgeable staff is right there to assist you. My kids had a ball in there and I know that from now on, our visits to Legacy Place will include a stop in Stellabella. Need after hours info? They also have a good web site with key info and online shopping - www.stellabellatoys.com. And keeping with their awesome community vibe, these nice folks have given the Friends a $25 gift card for the Bee Tree. So thanks and a warm welcome to the neighborhood, Stellabella!