Inspired by a child’s question, Sandi Stonebraker built Stoney’s Etc. into a Covington staple

A peaceful walk along a country road with her granddaughter sparked Sandi Stonebraker’s interest in writing a children’s book, which became the impetus for her opening her namesake toystore, Stoney’s Etc.

Stonebraker recalled that during their walk, her granddaughter pointed to a wooded area off the road and asked if princesses lived there. This benign childhood question became the inspiration for Stonebreaker to write her first children’s book, “On Being a Real Princess, Secrets of the Happy Heart Princess.” Besides writing, she was also a painter – something she took up in her 50s after taking a class at a community center. 

“She got me thinking about it, so I did write a book about the Happy Heart Princess, a children’s book that I still sell, and I also started doing these paintings, because I did one for her,” said Stonebraker. “Those are the two things that people paid attention to and said, ‘Well, I want you to do that for me, and I love your book, and why don’t you sell toys?’ That’s how it evolved.”

Stoney’s Etc., which opened in 1998, is located at 323 W 6th Street in Covington’s MainStrasse neighborhood. The store has served as a framing shop for many years, where she sells her paintings. Over time, Stonebraker’s inventory expanded beyond frames and paintings to include toys, games, and art supplies, among other things.

Stonebraker said that although she is mainly known as a toy store, her offerings have grown significantly. To reflect that change, she renamed the business “Stoney’s Etc.” Stonebraker’s store does not sell any toys that require batteries. Instead, she wants the products she sells to breed inspiration and imagination.

Originally from Atlanta, Stonebraker relocated to Covington in the 1990s to be closer to her extended family in Indiana and Michigan. When she first arrived in Covington, she was captivated by Mainstrasse, which caught her attention after she exited off I-75. 

She arrived at the decision to open her own store after realizing her true calling in life was to help people and foster community. 

“All of a sudden, I realized toys were not in my plan,” she told LINK nky. “All of a sudden, I said, ‘What am I doing?’ I’d always been in the healthcare industry or education, and I thought, ‘Here I am in such a mercenary business – what is my purpose?’ I had to struggle with that. My purpose is not to sell toys, although it’s nice. My purpose really is to touch lives and to build community, and so that’s really important to me.”

Covington resident Maddie Stoiber, a friend of Stonebraker, told LINK nky that Stonebraker is deeply passionate about fostering community through her work. In the past, Stonebraker has organized art-focused events to encourage neighbors to connect. 

“I mean, she’s just a constant source of energy and light, and always has a smile on her face, always willing to talk to someone,” Stoiber said. “She’s welcoming to everyone and everyone knows her. I think she has had a good memory in her store.”

Perhaps her most recent success was the unveiling of her ‘bubble’ – an initiative that encourages people to value the aspects of their lives that are most important to them by customizing paper bubbles that she distributes from her shop. Moreover, she commissioned Covington-based artist Bret Schulte to paint a bubble mural on the side of her building, where community members can stop by and write a phrase or word that is important to them inside the bubble.

At 81 years old, Stonebraker said she still has more to give to the community through her store and artistic endeavors, although she conceded that business has grown tougher over the years through the rising popularity of online shopping and big box retailers.

Stonebraker, however, is not strictly selling toys and art. She’s in the business of selling memories – a personal experience that can only be had by visiting her store.