Since the first of June, I've been an authorized Webkinz™ retailer.
However, my first shipment of the little fuzzy critters didn't arrive until yesterday.
I thought Bessie was going to drive me crazy, every day asking "Are they here yet?"
We were really hoping they'd arrive before Fun Fest, but at least they're here prior to The Rod & Roll Classic Car Show (which is next Saturday).

What are Webkinz™ you ask?
They're like the next-generation of Beanie Babies.
They are apparently VERY popular with the "tween" set, and are hot commodities. Some of the "retired" styles are going for hundreds of dollars online!
I invested in the product line to try and help drive sales in the store year-round, not just during the touristy-summer months. Since we no longer have a Hallmark store in town, I thought this would be a smart investment to get some grandma-shoppers in the store. Hopefully, they'll buy some greeting cards, candles, and tea (and lots more!) when they come in to get their Webkinz™.
So far, I've gotten in the Koala in the regular size Webkinz™, and the Tree Frog in the Lil'Kinz™ (the smaller size). Right now I don't have enough of them to put on my website, WrenShop dot com, but hopefully I will soon. If you absolutely gotta have one now, you can e-mail me at morgen1967@gmail.com

Made by Ganz, Webkinz™ are plush pets that each come with their individual online code. The purchaser takes the code, goes to Webkinz dot com, and then you get to "discover a virtual world!" -- which means you get to name and assign a gender to your online pet (so you have a plush animal, PLUS an online friend). You get a birth certificate, and a biography of your new friend, which gives you some hints about what they like (my tree frog likes oranges - who knew?) Then you can decorate your pet's room, and play games (or get a job! -- I'll stick with Triva, thanks!) & earn "points" (called Kinzcash) which can be used to purchase virtual accessories, like a little purse. Or eucalyptus snacks for the Koala.
Ganz recommends each retailer adopt a pet, so you know what the registration & account process is like. I am trying to get 100% behind this program (so I can enthusiastically sell the product), so yes, I have adopted a Webkinz™. My tree frog is named Nestor (for the Wren's Nest), and I think I need to go play some trivia to get some Kinzcash so he can get some oranges...

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