School Crossing is a beautiful 10,000 square foot store in the heart of Colorado Springs. You will find a superb mix of over 30,000 top quality toys and educational products in School Crossing and Toy Station. Toy Station at School Crossing is a "store" within a store where the toys are in a class by themselves. School Crossing is a "favorite" place for kids and parents as well as teachers and grandparents. From toys just for fun to innovative educational toys to some of the finest teaching tools, School Crossing is proud to supply you with the newest and best learning materials and toys on the market.
Nearly 12 years ago, Ralph and Sherrie Antes, along with Karen Combs opened School Crossing. Ralph, Sherrie and Karen then spent endless hours researching the idea of being small business owners. Although the odds did not seem favorable, the three decided to jump hook, line and sinker into the world of retail.
When School Crossing opened its doors in May of 1996, the stre encompassed 2000 square feet in a strip mall on one of the busiest streets in the northern part of Colorado Springs. Ralph left his engineering position to be at School Crossing full-time. Both Karen and Sherrie continued to teach full-time. The learning curve for all three proved to be tremendous as the team came together with no experinece in the business world.
Word traveled quickly about the "New Educational Source" in Colrado Springs and School Crossing was blessed with success when the doors opened. The success of School Crossing was realized because of a combination of factors. Being a teacher store "owned and oeprated by teachers" accounted for the surperb mix of educatioanl materials and toys carried at School Crossing. Karen and Sherrie instinctively knew the market because they were part of the market. Ralph, being detail-oriented, served as the rudder in keeping the business sailing in the right direction. From the beginning, School Crossing has had an awesome staff who have been willing to go the extra mile in making sure the customers have gotten the best possible customer service. As the team worked harder than they ever thought possible, they wll would agree the biggest facotr in their success is simply the Lord blessed it.
As the School Crossing business contined to increase, both Karen and Sherrie were finding it to be increasingly difficult to maintain their full-time teaching positions while being so involved with School Crossing and its demands. In mid 1998, after many agonizing thoughs, Karen decided her true love and calling was teaching. She sold her porition of the business to Ralph and Sherrie who continue to own and operate it. Soon after, Ralph and Sherrie became more and more aware of how 2000 square feet was not enough room to have the kind of store they wanted for their customers. Discussions started taking place about enlarging and the search began for a new location. As word traveled that School Crossing was in need of more space, heaven began to orchestrate an unbelievable project. A Colorado Springs realtor and developer approached Ralph and Sherrie about a piece of property that he thought would prove to be a great location for them. The acre of property was located just south of the city's very popular East Library and only about a mile away from School Crossing's original location. A builder was contracted, planning took place and the project began. After numerous delays, the project was finally completed in late July of 2000. Although the project took almost two years to complete, both Ralph and Sherrie would agree it was well worth it.
School Crossing now resides at 5540 Library Lane in Colorado Springs. Since the completion of the intial project, Ralph and Sherrie took another plunge in 2005. Owning enough property to duplicate their building, the couple contracted another builder to add 5000 square feet to School Crossing. The addition would include 3800 square foot for "Toy Station" and 1200 square feet for "Pikes Perk at School Crossing" (a local coffee shop franchise). Toy Station is an interactive toy store where the toys are in a "class" by themselves. Kids love to play at the various "stations" around the store. Parents are pleased at the great selection of toys. Grandparents are complimentary of the customer service provided by the Toy Station Staff. Everyone enjoys the experience of having "Pikes Perk" right there. Many people peruse the store as they enjoy their favorite coffee or tea drink. Pikes Perk also serves some of the best sandwiches in town. We invite everyone to the School Crossing complex for a "wonderfully good time."