About Us
10
years ago Misti and Gary Mussatto began the Gator Pit, an indoor family
playground where kids played and had birthday parties.
Their mascot, a friendly gator named Mr.
Snappy, became known for appearing at every
Childs' party and the silliness he would
get up to.
In 1999 a party supply store was created in the same mall to supply
unique party themes for kids. As much as this was successful, it also
supplied goody bag supplies and toys for kids as well. It evolved from
party supply store to toy store over time to keep up with our customers
demand for unique and quality toys.
In 2003 the party store doubled it's size, tripled it's staff,
quadrupled it's toy inventory and 'quintmillioned*' it's coolness in
design and fun! (* quintmillioned = 8,976,897 %) The Toy Jungle was
born!
The Toy Jungle strives for and prides itself on improving peoples lives
through toys that encourage imagination, laughter and education.
To be stocked at the Toy Jungle, inventory has to be of great quality,
wholesome and stimulating. We continually research our products and
suppliers to bring our customers new and (quality) merchandise.
We educate our staff to help our customers select the perfect toy or
gift and then package it for them in a creative, fun way! "It's rocket
science!" says Gary (who I don't think understands the expression)
"take great toys and mix it with a great staff and --BOOM! you've got a
FUN toy store!)
Voted 'Retailers of the Year'
by Toys & Games Magazine they take care that their customers feel
welcome and comfortable in their store. The kids can sit and play at
play tables, watch a video, start the electric train or ride a gator
(or elephant) kiddy ride. They have a giant airplane crashed into a
mountain of plush animals, constellations flashing on the ceiling and a
giant wall of candy (the latter to help the dentist across the hall!)
The decor is impressive but by far, they make it easy to find the right
gift at the right price with their 'Top 10' lists by age and category.
So whether you have children who know and request every toy or game, or
have no clue where to begin (Uncle Darrell) you'll find what you're
looking for!
The Owners
Gary and Misti Mussatto met in the entertainment industry when they
were working on cruise lines in 1989. After cruising to different
countries together (she a cruise staff dancer, he a drummer) they took
stock of their situation.
Exotic
countries, meals paid, care-free lifestyle
singing, dancing, being waited on hand-and-foot ...this was not an
example they wanted to set for their children, so they landed in
Vancouver and went into business for themselves.
It was around this time that Gary feels a family intervention was in
order. "My family should have
gathered our friends together and demanded that we continue our life of
luxury on the French Rivera or they'd disown us... as difficult as it
might have been!"
They married in 1991 and now have 2 beautiful girls aged 10 & 12.
They now set their goals and dreams of having a business
in their community that makes a difference. Misti sits on the board of
directors for Retail BC while Gary is a director of the West Vancouver
Chamber of Commerce.
Gary still finds time to work professionally as a drummer, having
worked with Michael Buble for a few years, Bobby Bruce of "Nearly Neil"
fame and currently with renown Canadian Big Band leader Dal Richards
and his orchestra.
