“Everything that’s on our shelves is focused at visual perception, critical thinking, coordination, memory and word skills,” McFarland said. “But you don’t have to be a genius to play our games. We just want people to know that we care about their brain health, promoting brain fitness and STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) activities for children.”
The store is stacked with games, puzzles and gadgets for customers of all ages, and puts some of them on display for customers to experience, including Rock Me Archimedes, wooden puzzle The Sherlock and 2-4 player head-to-head strategy game Otrio.
“Essentially it’s a toy store … but it just so happens that everything on our shelves with the exception of a couple of items are essential to brain exercise,” McFarland said.
Marbles: The Brain Store opened in Chicago in 2008 and has expanded to 49 stores nationwide, he said.
“The concept really works because we’re a highly interactive experience,” McFarland said. “We actually play games with people … we have music going, we try to keep a super-fun atmosphere.”
In addition to stocking games from other companies, Marbles: The Brain Store also carries its own branded games that the company has developed, he said. Each game is specific to a specific, separate part of the brain.
Eric Peterson, of West Chester Twp., said his family loves games and puzzles so he stopped by to purchase a game as a high school graduation present for his son.
“I was impressed,” Peterson said. “There’s a really good selection. It’s not things that you see when you go to a store like Target, Walmart or anything like that. This actually has some complexities and some things that are a little bit more challenging.”
Andrea Beck said 8-year-old daughter Lily Plum has been eagerly awaiting the store’s opening since it was first announced for Liberty Center.
“I live on the other side of Butler-Warren Road, so (this store being here) is fabulous,” Beck said. “It’s improved the quality of life here.”
Marbles: The Brain Store plans to open its second Ohio location next month at Easton Town Center in Columbus, McFarland said.
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