Child World was a chain of toy stores that was founded in Quincy Massachusetts in 1962 and became a publicly traded corporation in 1968 based in Avon, Massachusetts, in 1970 by Sid Shneider and Joseph Arnesano. Child World once boasted 182 stores and revenues of approximately $830 million annually. From 1977 until its closure Child World also operated the Children's Palace chain of stores after acquiring it from Kobacker Stores, and later incorporated most of the aesthetic design features from the latter chain into Child World stores.
The mascot for Child World was originally a cartoon rabbit named Happy Rabbit who sported the words "I'm Happy" on his T-shirt. He was later replaced by a cartoon panda bear named Peter Panda, often depicted wearing overalls with his name printed on them.
Subject ID: 93255
MoreChild World was a chain of toy stores that was founded in Quincy Massachusetts in 1962 and became a publicly traded corporation in 1968 based in Avon, Massachusetts, in 1970 by Sid Shneider and Joseph Arnesano. Child World once boasted 182 stores and revenues of approximately $830 million annually. From 1977 until its closure Child World also operated the Children's Palace chain of stores after acquiring it from Kobacker Stores, and later incorporated most of the aesthetic design features from the latter chain into Child World stores.
The mascot for Child World was originally a cartoon rabbit named Happy Rabbit who sported the words "I'm Happy" on his T-shirt. He was later replaced by a cartoon panda bear named Peter Panda, often depicted wearing overalls with his name printed on them.
However, Child World's attempt to secure a new line of credit was met with opposition from banks that were unwilling to help the company as it continued to post heavy quarterly losses. Thus, Child World found itself in serious danger of having to liquidate its assets and close its doors forever. The company turned to competitor Lionel Kiddie City, which like Child World was also in danger of going out of business. Merger talks began between Avon and Lionel Corporation, Kiddie City's parent. A target date for the merger's completion was set for July 12, 1992, with Child World stating it was their last hope to avoid ceasing business, and on July 1 Child World began a clearance sale across all 71 stores in an effort to raise cash. While the target came and went with no news, the two sides kept negotiating until August, when talks fell apart.
On August 2, Child World announced the failure of the merger talks and reported that a full liquidation of their last 71 locations would begin immediately. Within two to six weeks of the announcement, all of Child World's locations would close and the company ceased to exist.
Subject ID: 93255
Subject ID: 93255