Just in time for holiday shopping, The Children’s Museum of Richmond is making it easier for children to shop in their museum. They’re making it possible for children to shop and the products they offer are more affordable than ever. It’s like turning back the clock of time!

The Children’s Museum of Richmond announced today that it will add the Original Fawn Shop to its downtown holiday offerings. This gives young children a small shop of their own for shopping and revives a memorable activity long associated with the historic Legendary Santa experience at Miller & Rhoads. Many Richmond natives remember the shop at Miller & Rhoads and many shopped for holiday gifts in that historic location.

Like the Fawn Shop at Miller & Rhoads, this new Children’s Museum children’s shop offers pre-wrapped gifts. Volunteers and staff are available to help children with appropriate selections. It’s a way for children to feel more independence when shopping and gives them pride in the selections they make.

Teaching Children as they Shop

“This gives young children the chance to think of others, make independent decisions and directly experience a financial tra

Credit Source: PETER BACQUE

nsaction,” explained Liz Pearce, the Museum’s director of parent engagement.

Children learn to handle “money” and make choices about how to spend their dollars. Adults purchase Fawn Shop Dollars in the Museum’s gift shop, front desk and Santa Land area. Children use these ‘fawn dollars’ in the special children-only store. All items will cost two Fawn Shop Dollars making items affordable and the process gives children a chance to consider gift options, problem-solve, use math skills, and enjoy holiday shopping.

The Original Fawn Shop will be a part of the Museum’s new retail space at its Central location in Richmond, now known as Legendary Santa’s Workshop. They now offer new lower priced items for children aged birth to eight years of age.

“We have retooled the museum’s retail options completely,” explained Lisa Wingfield Hailey, the Children’s’ Museum of Richmond’s Chief Operating Officer.  “While we rely on our shop to generate a profit to support museum programs, we decided to achieve that profit by selling more for less, because giving families real value better reflects our mission. So our prices are significantly lower – and now in whole numbers so children can better understand the math – and visitors will see a more unique selection.”

Visit the Shop and Tell us About Your Experience

Take your kids for a visit to the Children’s Museum and visit the newest children’s shop. Let us know what you think about the shopping experience by leaving a comment on our Facebook page.

More Improvements and Enhancements at the Museum

In addition to new retail items, the downtown museum has expanded its food options to include healthy snacks and drinks. They also offer soft serve frozen yogurt and popcorn. Food prices reflect the Museum’s commitment to keep expenses reasonable for young families, with a 5 ounce serving of frozen yogurt selling for just $1.50 and string cheese for $.50. This is a great way to teach children about healthier eating options without spending a lot of money.

Also new this year, the Museum will enter those who spend $25 or more in any of the three Museum’s shops in a contest for a unique 2013 season Legendary Santa experience. This prize includes a limousine ride to a private visit with Legendary Santa, followed by a stay at the Hilton Garden Inn in the former Miller & Rhoads building and complementary tickets to the Tea with Santa program.

About Legendary Santa

Legendary Santa opens at 9am, Friday, November 23 and will see visitors daily through Christmas Eve, Monday, December 24.  A visit with Legendary Santa is free. Pictures are available for purchase. Visit www.LegendarySanta.org for complete details.

Santa Land Hours:

• Opening Day – Friday, Nov 23: 9am-5pm
• Saturdays, Nov 24 – Dec 22: 9am-5pm
• Sundays, Nov 25 – Dec 23: 9am-5pm
• Monday, Nov 26 – Friday, Nov 30: 2pm-5pm
• Monday, Dec 3 – Friday, Dec 7: 11am-5pm
• Monday, Dec 10 – Friday, Dec 14: 9am-8pm
• Monday, Dec 17 – Friday, Dec 21: 9am-8pm
• Christmas Eve – Monday, Dec 24: 9am-2pm