Tony and Clint Gibble are kids are heart, and two of their Elizabethtown businesses reflect that. They own The Tatted Toy Guys, 50 S. Market St., which opened in 2019, and they opened The Candy Unicornium, 2 W. High St., in November 2020.

The Tatted Toy Guys began as a hobby side business, Tony said, to help pay for the tattoos that he and Clint enjoy. Their primary business, Tony Gibble Photography, was established in 2008 and specializes in wedding photography.

"It's ironic, because we always joked toys are only a hobby. They can't pay the bills," remarked Clint. "In the course of 2020, the wedding and event industry came to an abrupt halt, but through an increased online presence and community support since the day we opened, the toy sales have enabled the store as well as Tony Gibble Photography to survive."

Tony and Clint have been avid toy collectors for years. "Toys are fun, and they represent happiness," Tony said. "They take you back to a time in your life where things were simpler, and you had no concern over the adult issues of today."

As collectors, they noticed a lack of in-person stores for vintage and retro toys.

"We wanted to create a shopping experience where collectors could go and feel like they were shopping in a retail store, with clean, like-new used toys or even toys in their original packaging, and have an experience where the old could feel new," Clint explained.

With the success of their toy store, they decided to expand their offerings. "Most people would say that it is insane to open a new business in 2020," Tony remarked, noting that the inspiration for their second store came from a desire to bring more joy to Elizabethtown. "We asked ourselves, 'What could we do to bring more happiness to the community?' What is happier than candy?"

The Candy Unicornium opened after just 18 days of planning. With a carnival atmosphere and unicorn theme, the store offers retro candy, novelty candy, penny candy, bulk candy and more.

The support they've received from the community has prompted Tony and Clint to give back. They regularly hold Free Toy Fridays, when anyone can pick up a free toy, and they organized a Renew for Kids Toy Drive to benefit Toys for Tots. "People donate their vintage toys that we will try to sell, and 100% of the profit goes toward new, packaged toys bought at wholesale to be donated to Toys for Tots," Tony explained, adding that the fundraiser runs all year.

Both Tony and Clint said operating their businesses has helped them do what they love most while making other people happy.

"Expect the unexpected when you come through our doors," Clint said. "You'll see things you have forgotten about, but they will take you right back to Christmas morning. ... There's never an unhappy face in our store."