New to Saint-Malo: La Petite Ourse, a toy store unlike any other.

Welcome to La Petite Ourse, located at 90 rue Ville Pepin, in the Saint-Servan district, in Saint-Malo (Ile-et-Vilaine).

When you open the doors of this brand new store, opening this Wednesday, May 7, 2024, you are immediately transported back to your childhood.

“The Toy Adoption Office Is in Disaster”

There are toys, games and children’s books around you. “Between 700 and 800 requests coming in every day.” But don’t imagine yourself in a regular toy store. At La Grande Ourse we only sell used items. “We kind of consider ourselves an adoption center for toys in need,” smiles Sarah Marcade, co-manager.

“We bring vintage or retro toys back into circulation.”

La Grande Ourse is a recycler and remanufacturer. “We bring back vintage or retro toys, forgotten board games, and sometimes even salvaged ones from a dumpster,” continues Pierre Billot, his partner.

“We are not a thrift store”

A couple relies on their instincts to find a rare gem. “We search, exchange on networks, they offer us. We buy second-hand items, but we’re not a consignment store.”

Sarah and Pierre are driven by a desire to trade ethically. “We are aware of environmental issues and want to uphold virtuous values.”

Their store goes so far as to offer workshops on Wednesdays and Saturdays “to create as a group, as a family. We wanted to create a place where we encourage children to develop their imagination and creative side, while passing on our values ​​of environmental responsibility, reuse and adding value to second-hand goods in every area possible.

And as if that weren’t enough, there was even a little vegan cafe set up in the back of the store where you can just grab a bite to eat after learning the basics of recycling.

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