Our Story
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![A Not-So-Brief History of Dancing Bear Toys 1989- DBT was founded 1989- Taylor Swift was born 1993-Evers Family Purchases DBT, now at 144 Tunnel Road 1993-Ruth Bader Ginsburg appointed to Supreme Court 1995-DBT opens a seasonal store in the Asheville Mall 1995-The Beanie Baby craze is in full swing 1997-Dancing Bear opens its second location on Main Street in Hendersonville, NC 1997-Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone is published 2013-DBT moves to a remodeled Hooters building on Kenilworth Road 2013-C]()
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Sarah Evers started working at Dancing Bear Toys when she was nineteen years old. She helped the original owner, Jim Proctor, move the toy store from Biltmore Village to Tunnel Road in 1993. That same year, the Evers family purchased the store. At first, they saw it as a short-term investment. They had no idea that the toy store would grow to become a local landmark!
Sarah and her sister Erika took over daily operations. In 1997, they opened a second location on Main Street in downtown Hendersonville. Their parents, Mary and Dave, left their careers to help manage the rapidly growing business.In 2013, the Asheville store moved into a retrofitted Hooters building. The new location is three and a half times the size of the old one, which means more room for toys and special events! We even turned the original Hooters bar into a toy bar where kids can sit and play games.
Early in 2022, The Evers Family decided to downsize and close the second location in Hendersonville, giving them more time to focus on the Asheville store and their family.
Dancing Bear has always been more than just a store. It’s a space for kids and adults to play. It’s a gathering place for locals and a place for tourists to experience our region's wacky side. We're excited to keep growing with Western North Carolina! We’re committed to giving back to our community through free events and donations.
We work hard to bring you the best, the weirdest, and the most unique toys on the market. We have hundreds of demos available and we’re always ready to play with you!
Reviews
Dancing Bears Toy Store is a delightful shop with a wide selection of unique and high-quality toys. The staff is knowledgeable and friendly, always willing to help you find the perfect gift. The store has a charming atmosphere, and their collection of wooden toys and games is impressive. They also have a great selection of books and puzzles. Highly recommend Dancing Bears Toy Store for anyone looking for special and memorable toys.
