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, February 7, 2015

Thornbury's Toys and Liberty National Bank Worked Together

Liberty National Bank print ad, 1981
Thornbury's Toys grew very slowly in their first location at 117 Breckinridge Lane.  But the St. Matthews parents soon began to ask for more toys in addition to the bikes and wheel goods.  Mr. T. was listening to the requests and answered the need for the most  popular toys. In 1960, the store had turned enough profit to move into one of the most modern shopping centers in the Louisville area.  The shopping center, located at the intersection of Shelbyville Road and Browns Lane, included a Top Value Redemption Store, Riney's Bedding, Liberty National Bank and Thornbury's Toys.  Liberty National Bank and Thornbury's Toys developed a very strong working relationship that lasted for many, many years to come.  The new store with nearly 6000 sq. ft. of floor space increased sales dramatically and more successes were soon to follow.  Thank you Liberty National Bank for believing in us!

The above full-page ad for Liberty Bank appeared in a December 29, 1981, UK basketball program "Wildcat Tipoff: Kentucky vs. Notre Dame." The ad copy reads:

Fun & Games.
And the bank with an open mind.
One of Liberty's best success stories in commercial lending was a man who went into business for the fun of it - Jim Thornbury, president of Thornbury Toys.
Twenty-five years ago, Jim began with a small bicycle shop on Breckinridge Lane. Today, Thornbury's operates ten toy stores in five states.  And Jim will be the first to tell you - it happened because of hard work and one bank that said "yes." Liberty.
Keeping an open mind to businessmen like Jim Thornbury is one of the reason's we're so well known for commercial banking.
Liberty National Bank - We'll go along with you.
According to the Encyclopedia of Louisville by John E. Kleber, Liberty National Bank became Bank One Kentucky, NA, Louisville's oldest continuous financial institution, in 1995 after Bank One Corp. purchased Liberty National Bancorp in 1994.

Image source: University of Kentucky
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