Erika D.
Yelp
Bonner Springs is one of those places that you will only visit for a very good reason. Sandwiched between Interstate-70 and the Kaw River, it is home an industrial park, the summer concert "powerhouse" Sandstone, and The Agricultural Hall of Fame.
Bonner does have a few redeeming qualities, namely Oak Street, which evokes vintage small town charm, and the memorable shopping experience that is Moon Marble Company.
I would go to the moon (or a cultural wasteland) for a store as cool as this one. Moon Marble Co. is a specialty boutique, novelty purveyor, and traditional toy store all under one roof.
The front room is all about marbles. Kids can hand pick their favorites from a vivid rainbow of swirls, spots and solids.
The varieties have expressive names like Red Devil, Porcupine, and Pterodactyl.
The rest of the store is a funky mix of retro novelties (tin toys, whoopee cushions, Smurfs, etc.) and unique toys and games, many of which are marble themed.
The owner, Bruce Breslow, is a glass artisan. If you drop in on the right day, you might see him wielding a blowtorch and demonstrating marble making.
So, for a distinctive local shopping experience, make the trek to Moon Marble in Bonner Springs. I guarantee that the whole family will find it more rewarding than a standard Toys-R-Us shopping trip (and who knows, the nearby Ag Hall of Fame may be an added bonus for you!).
See photos and more on my Tumblr blog, The Family Unit (link under profile).