Toy-shopping for a cause

If Santa's elves decided to quit, leave the North Pole and open their own shop, the result would be Clover, a unique children's store in Ballard. Here you'll find everything from toys and crafts to bedding and room decor, and items are often crafted by local artists.

The shop is the brainchild of a Ballard resident and mommy of two, Sarah Furstenberg. She is a textile designer and illustrator who managed a toy store in Berkeley, Calif., before moving to Seattle to open Clover. "The concept is to engage and amuse children, to wean them away from television with dress up, musical instruments, science projects, games, and many other activities," explains Furstenberg, who has packed her whimsical store with play kitchens, little wooden animals, classic toys such as jacks and rubber balls, and futuristic remote-controlled robots.

A Christmas-shopping hot spot, yes, but Clover is offering a twist this year – "Holiday Fundraising Nights." Here's how they work: Customers organize a private, after-hours evening of shopping to benefit their school or favorite charity. Furstenberg will donate a portion of the sales, usually 15 percent, to the designated charity. Watch out, Santa. Ballard may not be the North Pole, but you may have some competition on your hands this year.

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