CARROLLTON, Ohio — Larry “Bud” Garner Jr. has a passion for farming. It’s in his blood and something he’s enjoyed since childhood. Today, that interest has taken a turn for the toys. Bud and Cheryl Garner own Bud’s Farm Toys in Carrollton, Ohio.
They started their business at home in 1985, ordering cases of toys and selling them to friends. The couple later started setting up toy displays at festival, farm toy shows and fairs. In fact, they’ve had a booth at the Carroll County Fair for 21 years.
Their first toy store opened in August 1990 on the square in downtown Carrollton. They moved to a larger store in 1998 and recently opened a new store on Main Street.
The Garners set up at toy shows and steam shows in eight states.
In 2007, Bud’s Farm Toys expanded its product line by selling Bruder Toys, popular large-scale plastic molded plastic models. The store also sells die-cast replicas of tractors and implements, licensed tractor products and farm-related collectibles, collector edition models and antique toy tractors and trucks, Ertl children’s farm toys, scale models, spec-cast, Breyer horse models and accessories and Radio Flyer wagons and bikes.
Vintage-style toys from Schyling Toy Co. are also in stock.
Like everyone else, the Garners have felt the effect of a slow economy and high gas prices. Also, with Internet shopping, some people are ordering toys online.
But Bud and Cheryl believe people still enjoy a good shopping trip and talking with real, live people.
With their recent move to Main Street, Bud’s Farm Toys will be more visible to the public. The new location is larger and more convenient. The business plans to expand its product line soon to offer even more selection.
The store has always done phone orders and shipped to customers, but with a new Web site, Bud’s Farm Toys will be able to provide more information and opportunities for customers to find what they are looking for. The new Web site is currently under construction.
The store is located at 75 W. Main St., Carrollton, OH 44615. Hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. For information, call 330-627-5343.
