Treehouse kid and craft is a book and toy store opening in Decatur. Photo from https://www.facebook.com/treehousekidandcraft/timeline

An independent craft and toy shop is opening in Decatur this Friday.

Treehouse kid & craft is opening at 10 a.m. on Friday, October 16 at 533 W. Howard Avenue. A grand opening party is scheduled for Friday evening from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m.

Owner Kristen Bach told Decaturish she owns Treehouse kid & craft in Athens, Ga, where she lives.

Bach said her sister lives in Sandy Springs, and the two decided Decatur would be a great location for a second store.

“I’m so glad we ended up in Decatur,” Bach said. “We have totally loved everyone here. Everyone’s been so supportive here.”

Bach describes her shop as a toy store and a bookstore with creative classes.

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“We have a lot of stuff for babies and gift items,” Bach said. “We have a lot of toys from infant on up to teens. We also have fun craft supplies that you wouldn’t find at Michael’s.”

Bach said the shop will have ethically-made toys. She said she likes to carry toys that are not battery operated, “toys that facilitate creativity and imagination” as she refers to them.

Bach said she’ll have a rotating stock of children’s illustrated books as well. She said the shop will start to introduce classes after they open. Previous classes at the Athens store have included summer camps focused on fairies, superheroes, pirates, and mermaids, as well as more traditional painting and sculpture classes.

“A really popular class in Athens has been a craft business class for kids,” Bach said. “We go through how to start a craft business. The kids design their own logo … they’ll learn to Instagram, photo style, as well as product development. A lot of kids develop products they decide to make. We’ll collectively have a sale and the kids have always donated the money charity.”

Bach said the kids don’t even realize they are learning math and tangible life skills in the business class. “It’s been one of the most proud moments for me as a shop owner,” Bach said.