New business helps kids create personal stuffed animals, dolls
A one-of-a-kind downtown Uniontown business is helping kids put the stuffing into rather than beating it out of their favorite toy. Anna Marie Purcell opened U Stuff It on Sept. 1 and has been providing the “complete experience’ to children in her stuffed animal and doll workshop at 39 S. Beeson Boulevard.
She offers more than 45 unstuffed animals and dolls that children can create, customize and then “adopt.’
Children first pick the animal or doll they want, stuff it using a special machine, insert a plastic star carrying their wish, fluff the stuffed toy, name it and make a birth certificate for it on a computer and then take it home in its own personalized box or cradle, which, Purcell said, “is the complete experience. It’s about the complete experience and that’s what people are paying for, the experience behind it.’
The assortment includes teddy bears, pandas, penguins, koalas, unicorns, dogs and frogs in a variety of styles and colors. Children can also accessorized dolls and give them “treatment’ in a beauty salon in the shop. In addition, U Stuff It clothing choices vary from overalls and T-shirts to themed outfits, holiday costumes and some local school sports uniforms. Some personalization is available, Purcell said.
“I have graduation outfits for the local schools, Uniontown, Albert Gallatin and Laurel Highlands. And I plan on expanding that line in the fall with football players, cheerleaders, track and I can do personalization on T-shirts for the Bears.’
U Stuff It’s motto, she added, is “Where friends are stuffed with wishes.’
She developed her proprietary business after watching recent growth and success of others specializing in children stuffing their own teddy bears.
“I kept telling my husband (Jack Purcell, a Uniontown attorney) that we should check into doing this. And when I found the (stuffing) machine, it just sort of happened.’
She also found vendors for various accoutrements, including the clothing and a number of different colored eyes that can be backed with tiny messages.
The stuffing machine, however, which range in price from $6,000 to $10,000, “is the biggest cost in the business so far,’ she said.
Purcell’s venture is rooted in more than a decade’s work in crafts. She has presented her products at shows and other venues, including at the Christmas Shop in Chalk Hill, where she has leased space for the past five years.
Purcell grew up in Uniontown and graduated from Laurel Highlands High School and California University of Pennsylvania. She worked at O.C. Cluss Lumber Co. for 10 years. She became a “stay-at-home’ mother when the Purcell’s daughter, Johnna, was born.
U Stuff It services are available to individuals, although Purcell said her success so far has been in the parties she has offered to groups of up to 25 children on Sundays.
“I have Girl Scout and Brownie troops coming in and I’m open to all organizations. I will be offering the Girl Scouts and Brownies fun patches. I also do two autistic groups,’ she said.
A local school contacted her and she is developing a program she can offer for activities. “If any school wants to call we can talk about it and set something up,’ she said.
“Doing business in downtown has been good. The parties have really been good for me. I can’t complain,’ she said.
U Stuff It is described in detail on its Web site – www.u-stuff-it.com – where free downloadable party invitations and thank you notes are available, Purcell said.
The Uniontown shop is open from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Wednesday; from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday; 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday; and Monday and Tuesday by appointment.
Summer hours will be announced.
Telephone is 724-434-BEAR (2327) and email address is contact@u-stuff-it.com.