Eastern ShoreThursday, November 5
Fairhope's Fantasy Island Toys owners are named Silver Alabama Retailers of the Year
The Mobile Daily News team
If you grew up shopping Fairhope's Fantasy Island Toys, here's some good news. Amanda Calhoun and Stephanie Bell have been named Silver Alabama Retailers of the Year by the Alabama Retail Association. Lagniappe Daily notes the sisters also added a second location in Mobile and a growing online business.
4,500members in the Alabama Retail Association
The association, founded in 1943, has more than 4,500 members operating more than 6,000 locations statewide.
Source: Gulf Coast Media
“It's just a phenomenal honor because fellow retailers, who really understand the business of retail and the challenges and all the rewarding aspects that come along with it, have given us this award because of the growth that we've seen and our commitment to our community.”
The award comes in the shop's 50th year. Jeane Byrd founded it in 1976, and it has been an association member since 1994. Calhoun and Bell bought it in 2022 from Byrd's daughter, Ginger Milligan.
Fantasy Island Toys turns 50 and the owners are named Silver Alabama Retailers of the Year
- 1976Jeane Byrd founds Fantasy Island Toys.
- 1994The shop becomes a member of the Alabama Retail Association.
- 2022Amanda Calhoun and Stephanie Bell buy the business from Ginger Milligan.
- 2026The owners are named Silver Alabama Retailers of the Year.
Sources: Lagniappe Daily, Gulf Coast Media
- Locations: Fairhope and Mobile, plus an online shop
- Sellers: Ginger Milligan ran the shop with her sister, Kathy Byrd
Sources: Lagniappe Daily, Gulf Coast Media