Shiver Me Timbers! Pirate-Themed Store Opens in Buffalo Grove

Parents and caregivers in Buffalo Grove no longer need to travel to Davy Jones’s locker, or at least to other suburbs, to find new car seats, strollers and LEGO sets.

, which opened in May, is a pirate-themed store that sells a variety of products, including strollers, car seats, cloth diaper covers and shoes. Specific product lines include Melissa & Doug, Baby Björn, and LEGOs. Puppets, toy trucks and trains and licensed products featuring Thomas the Tank are also for sale.

While many of the products are for infants and small children, toys for older children are also available. For example, many of the LEGO kits are appropriate for children over the age of 7. 

Just Kids also offers toys with natural materials, including dollhouses and parking garages by PlanToys and plush toys made from organic cotton by Apple Park.

It also carries Stride Rite shoes, a product line that makes Just Kids unique.

"Just Kids is the only independent store to carry Stride Rite shoes in the immediate area," said owner Eugene Zilbergleyt, who lives in Buffalo Grove.

According to Zilbergleyt, Just Kids was originally an online-only store that opened five years ago. The brick-and-mortar store opened in Buffalo Grove to add to the site’s shopping experience.

“Shoppers can touch the products [in the physical store], try them out, and learn about them face-to-face,” he said.

The store was originally scheduled to open last year before the holidays; however, construction of certain store fixtures, such as the checkout counter in the shape of a pirate’s ship, delayed the store’s opening. “I also changed my mind about the design,” Zilbergleyt said with a laugh.

The store’s other design elements include a beach motif painted on the floor, complete with waves and sand. A play area has castle walls and a television and allows children to play with merchandise also sold in the store. The store also offers room for customers to try out different strollers.

“I wanted the store to be different,” Zilbergleyt said.

A grand opening event is planned for later this summer and will include information on correctly installing car seats. Prior to that event, the store's staff is spending time adjusting the store's layout.

Zilbergleyt said the store's staff will include certified car seat technicians to assist customers with installing car seats.

Staff member Megan Uriostegui has worked for Just Kids since April.

“I’ve worked at other baby product stores, but I think this store is cool,” she said. “The boat’s really neat, and people usually don’t see things like that when they shop.”

Just Kids is located in The Plaza shopping center at the northwest corner of Dundee and Buffalo Grove roads.