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Offering more items that both kids and their parents will love, Kids Preferred, LLC, one of the largest toy manufacturers in the United States, recently acquired Bunnies By The Bay, a luxury line of toys, apparel, and books. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
Kids Preferred, dedicated to creating superior quality, innovative soft toys and gifts for children of all ages using designs that help instill a love of learning and create everlasting childhood memories, will now add baby and children’s apparel to its broad array of toy and educational offerings.
“We are thrilled to add such a well-known, classic brand to our growing roster of toys, books, music and more. Their innovative designs, and high quality products have set the standards for the gift and toy industries,” said Louis Premselaar, CEO of Kids Preferred. “We have been inspired by their story, their products and their mission, and know that our customers will absolutely fall in love with The Bunnies from Cricket Island, and their many friends.”
“We look forward to expanding the Bunnies By The Bay story through natural category extensions such as ready to wear, wood toys and allied products thus creating a true lifestyle brand, and offering even more bunnies, toys and apparel through Kids Preferred’s widespread global reach,” added Laura Perks, vice president of marketing for Kids Preferred.
Bunnies By The Bay has been touted by Oprah Winfrey, who gave adorable coats as baby gifts to both Gwyneth Paltrow and Julia Roberts, was made even more famous when Angelina Jolie’s daughter Zahara wore their original “Cuddle Coat” and Suri Cruise was known to sport their “Flipper Slippers.” The company was founded by sisters Krystal Kirkpatrick and Suzanne Knutson as a healing hobby after their dad, uncle, cousin and 11 others were lost at sea in a fishing boat accident in Alaska in 1983, one of the worst commercial fishing disasters in U.S. history. When they lost their brother in another boating accident three years later, their grandmother, Elsa Attaberry, encouraged them to focus on bringing delight to others as a way to reaffirm joy in their own lives, inspiring the company’s creation. Jeanne-ming Hayes, joined this mission, in 1999 as the third sister and “Director of Serious Stuff.”
“Bunnies By The Bay has been giving glad dreams for 27 years! Our company was started in response to tragic events and sadly, all these years later, we find that the world is still not a safe place for wee ones. Krys, Suzanne, and I feel our work is not done. We are thrilled to be teaming up with Kids Preferred, the perfect partner to help us continue our dream of making babies feel secure, delighting toddlers with our characters and stories, and giving Glad Dreams to all who visit our whimsical garden by the bay. Kid’s Preferred will give us the opportunity to spread our message to a much bigger global audience and to help us create more diverse products. It is refreshing to find a company who recognize what Bunnies By The Bay is about and want to help us make our dreams come true. They Believe In Hareytales!” said Jeanne-ming Hayes, CEO for Bunnies By The Bay.
The Bunnies By the Bay founders and senior staff will all remain with the company in their current roles. Kids Preferred is dedicated to maintaining a long-term partnership and focus on product integrity as well as product expansion.
Bunnies By The Bay products will soon be offered, along with Goodnight Moon, Disney Baby, pat the bunny®, Shaun the Sheep, The World of Beatrix Potter™ and many more favorite characters at Kids Preferred.
About Kids Preferred, LLC
Kids Preferred, LLC (kidspreferred.com) is an award-winning division of Kids Preferred, Inc., which was founded in 1983 and is one of the largest plush toy manufacturers in the U.S. Known for its superior quality and unique
designs, Kids Preferred, LLC serves the specialty, juvenile, gift, and better department store trade by distributing soft toys and gifts under its own brand, private label and licensed brands including amazing baby™, asthma & allergy friendly™ - Healthy Baby™, Biscuit™, Disney Baby, Elmer, The World of Eric Carle™, Goodnight Moon, The Gruffalo®, Guess How Much I Love You™, Harley-Davidson®, Kimmidoll Junior®, Label Loveys™, Martha Speaks™, pat the bunny®, The World of Beatrix Potter™, Peep and the Big Wide World™, Puff the Magic Dragon, Shaun the Sheep, Smarty Kids™, Spot™, The Snowman™, Special Delivery, Traykit®, and Baby Abuelita.
About Bunnies By The Bay
Founded in 1986, the world of Bunnies By The Bay was created in response to tragic events that unexpectedly propelled one family into navigating a wayward journey from tragic loss to hopeful healing. Bunnies By the Bay offers a focus is on creating delightfully endearing gifts for wee ones embarking on their first year of life. With engaging art and playful wit, Bunnies By The Bay offers detailed designs and lush materials in timeless products that promise parents and grandparents a cherished heirloom in the years to come.
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