Vision, Commitment, and Creativity - the building blocks of our Success.

Creative thinking and an entrepreneurial spirit set the Learning Express concept in motion. In 1987, Sharon DiMinico was president of the board of directors of The Groton Community School, a private preschool in her hometown of Groton, Massachusetts. With determination, Sharon set out to raise school revenue without raising tuition.

At the same time, drawing on her prior experience in retail and combining it with her parental goals, Sharon was developing a business plan for a specialty toy store concept - an untapped retail niche in her area.

She saw a need for a store offering high quality toys and games to inspire young minds - from infants to pre-teen.

The Plan
The retail plan that was developed was based on the idea that toys and games should encourage learning through play, creativity and foster developmental growth. The specialty toy store would provide a carefully selected product mix that would peek a customers' curiosity and a fun and friendly environment with expert sales staff providing advice to parents. It would be a hands-on atmosphere for kids to "test" their skills.

To make the specialty toy store truly unique, the shopping experience would be enjoyable and memorable, offer quality toys not found at larger retailers, and stores would give back to their communities through fundraising and other charitable programs.

Our Growth
Sharon developed the first Learning Express store to expand through franchising. She opened the first Learning Express in Acton, Massachusetts, on March 27, 1987 with sales supporting the Groton Community School.

After the success of the Acton store, Sharon developed a strategy to expand through franchising the Learning Express toy store. Today, Learning Express is the nation's leading franchisor of specialty toy stores in the country with over 100 stores nationwide.

Today, Learning Express is the largest and most successful specialty toy retailer in the United States.

Locations continue to open across the U.S., and today Learning Express is the nation's leading franchisor of specialty toy stores.  A true "neighborhood toy store," each Learning Express offers a calendar full of fun events and has become a hub of activity for families in the surrounding communities . Franchise owner-operators greet their customers by name and have a "do whatever it takes" attitude. Upon entering a Learning Express store, customers often comment, "this is so much more than a toy store!"

After 18 years, Sharon continues to be very active in the business as a buyer, marketer and a store mentor. Her husband is a small aircraft pilot and they recently completed an 11-State, 25-store trip in three weeks! If Sharon is not out visiting stores or attending trade shows, she can usually be found in her office most days of the week.