The King Street Marketing Group and Halls Chophouse are pleased to welcome Christine Osborne, local entrepreneur and founder of the magical toy stores Wonder Works, as our guest speaker Thursday, November 5.
With the uncanny ability to spot a craze and hot items before they even hit the shelves, Osborne leads her team with a passion to provide children and families with the most magical toys that help develop social, mental and physical skills.
- She has four locations. Which one is the sales leader?
- What can you learn about product placement?
(CLICK HERE TO ORDER YOUR TICKETS NOW!)
Christine Osborne has owned Wonder Works toy stores for 25 years since its inception in 1990 when Osborne and her close friend, Dr. Dan Morrisey, decided to open a different kind of toy store, one that inspired the wonder and magic of fun.
The result was a toy store like no other. And now there are four stores in greater Charleston, featuring specialty toys, gifts, books and gadgets that inspire imagination, creativity, and sense of wonder is an important part of Wonder Works’ atmosphere.
Wonder Works is an experience – not just a toy store, with many of its 2,500 "wonderfuntastical" toys on display for hands-on play.
Osborne and her Wonder Works toy stores have been endlessly recognized locally and nationally for the store’s creative and magical wonder, achievements and influence in the community.
Some of her successes include:
- Among two toy stores in the entire nation to receive the ASTRA (American Specialty Toy Retailing Association) “2013 Retailer Excellence Award”
- Was named the SCORE “Small For Profit Business of the Year” in 2013 for Coastal Region of the SCORE organization.
- Received the National SCORE award for “Small Business With Outstanding Citizenship” in 2013.
- Christine Osborne was named one of Charleston’s “Most Influential Women in Business” in Charleston in 2013.
- MSNBC named Wonder Works “Small Business of the Year” and was featured in commercials sponsored by American Express during Small Business Week in 2012
She also serves on the Board of Advisors for Charleston Chamber of Commerce, has served on the board for Lowcountry Local First (LLF) for nearly 6 years and also serves on the Charleston Harbor Accelerator Board.
Before owning Wonder Works toy stores, Christine worked at Southern Pines Hospital from 1981 until 1990, when Charter Corp. bought the private psychiatric hospital. She began as an occupational therapist and was promoted to the post of marketing director in 1985. She stayed on with Charter Corp. for a while after the sale, but her heart was no longer in the work. “I went home and told my husband, ‘My creativity’s gone. I can’t do it again for another company."
Each month, Small Business Lunch at Halls features a distinguished speaker from the business, civic or political arenas upstairs at Halls Chophouse with an imaginative three-course meal prepared by Executive Chef Matthew Niessner.
Tickets are $29 per person plus tax and processing fee for the luncheon and parking. Doors open at 11:45 a.m. and lunch is served promptly at noon. Limited seating provides an intimate experience with each speaker. CLICK HERE FOR TICKET INFORMATION or call the 24/7 ticket hotline at 1-800-838-3006.
Halls Chophouse is located at 434 King Street in downtown Charleston. Parking is available at the Visitors Center Garage on Ann Street between King and Meeting Streets, the Camden Exchange Garage between John and Hutson Streets, or at meters on the street.