The Leo Store: Toys and Games to Home Decor
If you are searching for a unique, beautiful, inexpensive store in which to do your festive shopping, look no further than the Leonardo! At the moment we are lucky enough to have two gift shops, one for the Dead Sea Scrolls exhibition and the other our year-round store run by Jen Pia, which is packed with goodies for everyone on your list! This is a great place from home decor to toys and games!
Pia was born and raised in Salt Lake City and owned a boutique called The Blue Cockatoo for almost 15 years. “It was located in the quaint 15th and 15th business district and I had a second store in Library Square for a short time, I relocated from 15th and 15th to 9th and 9th in 2008, and closed in 2011. Owning my own store was my joy and passion,” Pia said. She added some of her favorite Salt Lake stores are Apt. 202 and Fresh on 9th and 9th, The King’s English Bookshop on 15th and 15th, Cabin Fever in Trolly Square and Friends of the Library Store at Library Square.
She says she has many ideas for the Leo Store, primarily creating a one-of-a-kind store that is always changing, like The Leonardo, and growing, and a place where people can come to find the perfect gift for themselves and their loved ones. “First, I want it to become more of a destination for locals. Instead of only coming into The Gift Shop after visiting the Museum, I would love for people to come to The Leo Store just to buy gifts,” she said. “Second, to expand the retail business. We have an online store now, and we have received several orders so far. I think that can become a great revenue source for The Leonardo. I dream of having retail outlets in other parts of the museum and eventually to have a Leo Store in another location off-site.”
She said she tries to keep the products in The Leo Store made in the U.S.A, not mass produced. Great place to shop for anything from home decor to toys and games!
Toys and Games listed on www.TheLeoStore.org
Cubebot
Robot toys are usually made of plastic and require batteries. Not this one! Inspired by Japanese Shinto Kumi-ki puzzles, the Cubebot is a non-traditional take on the toy robot. Cubebots’s powerful hardwood frame can hold dozens poses, and his elastic-band muscles and durable wood limbs make him impervious to breakage. When it’s time for him to rest, he folds into a perfect cube. An enduring classic that will withstand generations of play.
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Edible Chemistry Set
The chemistry experiment you can eat and drink! Make cabbages do your bidding, fizzy drinks, color changing foaming jelly, polymer pudding and much more.
Edible Chemistry Set
The chemistry experiment you can eat and drink! Make cabbages do your bidding, fizzy drinks, color changing foaming jelly, polymer pudding and much more.
“I am a true believer in selling, and not selling out. I try to keep the products in The Leo Store environmentally responsible, hand-made, appealing to all walks of life, with some ties into whatever exhibit we might have at the time. I like to always have something for everyone, not to alienate anyone, and have price points that are affordable and fair.”
She says she’s recently had lots of items in that she’s particularly excited about. “We have received most of our holiday items,” she said. “I love the holidays, this year was interesting because I could not compete with the DSS gift shop. Therefore, all of our holiday items are non-religious. I like the challenge. We have recycled glass ornaments, reclaimed wood trees, tin wreaths, handmade owls, beautiful jewelry, books, craft and science kits, candles and so much more.”
And her message to everyone about considering doing their Christmas shopping at the store?
“I would say YES, please do,” she said. “I am more than happy to help them find something for everyone on their list. We are also offering gift wrap with your purchase at The Leo Store. Every penny you spend in The Leo Store supports The Leonardo. So you are doing great things by shopping in The Leo Store. Shop small, Shop Local, Shop Leo.”
The Leo store at 209 E. 500 South is open the same hours as the Leo, or you can shop online at or visit the Leo store Facebook page at
