For twenty-one years The Tiny Acorn has been tucked into the heart of the Waterbury Village at 70 S Main Street. The close of 2024 will mark their final holiday season as Waterbury’s only independent toy store.
Walking into The Tiny Acorn feels like stumbling upon a secret. Every nook and cranny is packed with something new to discover from toys to gifts to jewelry. A chandelier hangs from the ceiling dripping with jewels. Larger than life presents are wrapped on the top of every shelf. A five foot tall giraffe greets every customer a few feet from the front door.
“When we started The Tiny Acorn we said we wanted to provide a service and we wanted to provide a joy,” said Sally Dain, half of the married duo who own and operate the establishment.
Speaking with owners Bob and Sally Dain, the theme of service and joy echoed throughout both their lives and their time at The Tiny Acorn. The pair met at Brandon Training School in 1973 and were married a year later. By 1983, they had settled in Vermont.
Sally worked as a Children’s Librarian in Waterbury until the idea was planted to open a children’s store. Bob was frequently traveling for work as a Rehabilitation Consultant throughout Vermont and New Hampshire. As Sally tells the story she said, “Will you do this with me?” and Bob agreed.
The name of the shop holds a special meaning for the family as it comes from her maiden name, Oakes. Sally’s father, Thomas Oakes, would call his children his “little acorns”.
Throughout her life and childhood, Sally recalls a theme of the mighty oak that grows from the tiny acorn. Swapping her father’s nickname of “little acorns” for an alliterative “The Tiny Acorn”, she embraced the theme that was always present in her life.
While The Tiny Acorn does not plan to host another holiday season, they will not be closing their doors immediately after the departure of 2024. The Tiny Acorn will continue to offer unique products until they find the next person whose dream might be realized in the space. While Bob will continue to help, he aims to enter a semi-retirement in 2025.
The Dain’s welcome all to visit The Tiny Acorn and embrace one final holiday season discovering toys, tales, and treasures. They will remain open into 2025 until the space is filled.
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