Founded by Jim and Mary Thornbury in Louisville, Kentucky, in 1954, Thornbury's Toys was initially a true "mom and pop" shop. After expanding a few times they outgrew the first store located at 117 Breckinridge Lane in St. Matthews and opened a new store nearby at 4101 Shelbyville Rd. in 1960. This store became headquarters. Thornbury's, incorporated in 1965, grew year after year, peaking in the mid 1980's with stores in Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi, Florida, Ohio and Alabama. The formula for success: customer service, high "play-value" toys and bikes, and a strong management team combined with Uncle Jim's entrepreneurial and promotional flair, love of children, understanding of his customers, attention to detail, and loving family. Uncle Jim's motto was "the customer is always right". The company mascot, Thorny the monkey, who pedaled his bike day and night atop the St. Matthews store, also helped Thornbury's stand out.

Saturday, January 31, 2015

The Guess Who Show Was a Local Favorite

This was the set up for the Guess Who show, which aired on WAVE-TV. The young contestants would watch Fireman Bill draw a cartoon character and as soon as they could identify the character, the child would  press the buzzer on their bike and the light would  go on.  They would then identify the character and accumulate points to win the prizes shown behind them.

A real person dressed up as Thorny the Monkey would pop out of the Thornbury's version of a "jack in the box". That's Fireman Bill with Uncle Ed Kallay who helped emcee the Guess Who show.

Uncle Jim is getting the contestants ready.
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