Small toys provided the foundation for a Peninsula institution
If Bernice Baird-Browning hadn’t lost all her toys during the family’s move to California when she was 4, she might not have opened a toy store. She started Small Wonders in 1976 in a 225-square-foot stall that was part of the Peacock Alley in the fledgling Peninsula Center built by the late Jerry Moss and Matt Bruning.
“Everything smaller than regular items, miniatures,” she explained. “For example, I’d carry the furniture for doll houses,” she said during a recent interview in her small office at the rear of the current Small Wonders store on the first level of the Promenade. “I’ve never known anything being so successful in two-and-a-half months,” she said, referring to her first venture. By the ‘80s, I had three stores in Peacock Alley.”
Over the years, she has Small Wonders eight times.
“It’s been tough to stay in business,” she admitted, “but we have many repeat customers. We have boys and girls coming back when they’re grown. Some boys return and buy a train set they had when they were little.”
One boy took his train college with him, she recalled.
“I really appreciate the quality of the toys,” said Beth Lauro, mother of two youngsters, 4 and 8, who’s been shopping at Small Wonders. Even before I had children, I’d shop there to get gifts for the children of friends,” added the Rolling Hills Estates resident.
Darcel Ramirez-Hamson of Palos Verdes Estates, who has children ages 12, 9, and 5, was equally enthusiastic.
“I love that store,” she exclaimed. She’s been shopping there for at least 10 years as well. “The salespeople take it upon themselves to help you. Everyone knows that store.”
“We’re very service-oriented,’ Baird-Browning said. “We keep records of what customers buy just in case they forget from year to year.”
She has high hopes for the coming holiday season. “It’s going to be good,” she predicted.
Depending on the season, she said she has six to nine employees. Barbara Manners, has been with her for 15 years. “They know our customers,” she said.
As for the merchandise, which is so highly regarded by her customers, she said, “You have to make the right choices. It doesn’t always work if you buy only what you like. You must follow trends, and you must interact with customers. It’s a 24-hour job, but these days my business can nearly run itself.”
She launched her first little shop with $9,000 from her then husband. “It was time for me to do something for myself,” she said.
Son Michael and daughter Cindy were in school, and she had spent several years of volunteering for a variety of good causes. “In the ‘60s, I was a Head Start Mother. I taught music and pre-school at St. Peter’s by the Sea Presbyterian Church, and I co-chaired its first fundraiser. I joined Las Candalistas — my favorite volunteer group and have been a member now for 32 years,” she added.
Another longtime association has been with the Sunnyside Elves, comprised of 14 moms from the Miraleste area “who began by quilting and sewing all sorts of crafts. We’ve stuck together for 35 years. Besides bringing up our children,” she went on, “we’ve celebrated our lives and supported each other through tough times, making memories along the way.”
“Music has always been part of my life thanks to my father, who wanted to recreate the Andrews Sisters. I played the accordion for 14 years. At the age of 9, I was in an all-girl band and had played on TV with the Lawrence Welk show. I even played with Myron Floren,” she added. “I also play the guitar and at the moment, I am part of the hand bell choir at First Presbyterian Church in San Pedro.”
“I’ve always felt driven to be the best I could be.” Being the middle sister contributed to that drive, she explained. “One sister was a beauty queen and the other a brilliant scholar,” she said. “I climbed Mt. Whitney to prove I could do it. I’ve always believed that if you don’t try, you’ll always wish you had.”
She grew up in Redondo Beach, graduated from Redondo Union High School and attended the University of Arizona for two years before marrying the “boy next door.”
As fortune would have it, she attended her high school class’ 40th reunion at the Portofino Inn 10 years ago, and re-met former classmate Ralph Browning, who was to become her second husband. He also plays the hand bells at First Presbyterian Church.
In charting the future, Baird-Browning said, “My goal now is to spend time with my grandchildren. I took two of my granddaughters — Audrey and Jennifer — to Italy and the Greek islands in 2010 to celebrate their graduating from high school with highest honors.”
Next, she’ll take grandson Robert to Australia, “where we’ll snorkel on the Great Barrier Reef.” Finally, when granddaughter Brenna graduates in three years, Bernie said she will be taking her to see the castles in the Loire Valley of France.
“I never knew my grandmother,” she said. “My grandchildren know me, and I want to be able to leave them memories.”
Just like the memories she’s created at Small Wonders. PEN
