They may not be made of precious metal and they certainly don’t sell flake or mackerel but for the many thousands of delighted customers who have passed through their doors for the past decade and a half, Elisa & Roel are worth their weight in gold.
The Goldfish Toyshop’s name sprung from the combined surnames of these two colourful characters..
The toy odyssey began in 1989 when Elisa & Roel were traveling through Indonesia on their way to work in far northern part of Italy. In Bali, they designed a collection of colourful and original children’s mobiles that they had produced by a small community. Without even realising it..they had started their first ethical workshop..helping the owner and his family set up a well equiped workplace in order to forge ahead and produce their beautiful wooden objects.
They bundled them up and it was in Italy that they sold their first mobile.
Together they spent 6 months traveling through Europe selling their wonderful children’s toys. From Italy to Holland, Germany and Belgium, they drove their old green VW from village to village bringing a colourful surprise to unsuspecting customers.
Upon returning to Australia, their van become a regular visitor to markets and fairs across the country where Elisa and Roel would often find themselves sleeping in the back on top of the toys at the end of a busy day.
Finally in October 2000 they were able to realise a life-long dream of opening their very own bricks and mortar toy paradise in the quaint town of Berry, NSW. With Elisa’s boundless energy, Roel’s limitless imagination and creativity they have created a magical toyshop.
So come and experience what this eclectic couple have created for children of all ages. It is enchanting!
