Business Spotlight: Store offers range of collectibles to doll fanciers

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The man at Sunshine Dolls & Bears paced impatiently as he waited for his wife and daughter to arrive. His daughter had just turned 8, and she wanted a new doll. |ret||ret||tab|

After their arrival, the daughter showed her father the doll she picked out. This wasn't any run-of-the-mill doll. This was a $190 doll made by Lee Middleton, which is weighted and jointed to feel like a newborn baby. In fact, everything about the doll, from its creamy smooth skin to its soft blonde hair, was lifelike.|ret||ret||tab|

After some discussion, the family purchased the doll and left. According to Dixie Gilmore, who co-owns the shop with her husband Jim, a lot of girls between the ages of 8 and 13 save their toward the purchase of a Lee Middleton doll. |ret||ret||tab|

Lee Middleton dolls aren't just popular among young girls, however. They're also sought after by adult doll collectors.|ret||ret||tab|

Gilmore said she has collected dolls all of her life. In 1972, she turned her love of doll collecting into a niche business, selling dolls to other collectors with her husband. Initially, the Gilmores lived and worked out of a motor home as they traveled the country selling dolls at specialty shows. When the traveling got to be too much, the Gilmores returned to Springfield, and Dixie opened Sunshine Dolls, Candy & Gifts.|ret||ret||tab|

When the shop moved 12 years ago to its current location at 202 E. Olive, the Gilmores stopped carrying candy and gifts and began selling a larger variety of dolls and stuffed animals. The result of this change was a new name: Sunshine Dolls & Bears. |ret||ret||tab|

Customers who come to Sunshine Dolls & Bears can find dolls made by Lee Middleton, Madame Alexander, Ginny and Berjusa, which range in price from $40 to $300. The shop also stocks stuffed animals made by Applause, Ganz, Lou Rankin, Heritage Collectibles, Bearington Bears, Looney Tunes and a complete line of Ty products including Beanie Babies and Buddies, Ty Kids, Pillow Pals, Attic Treasures and Classics. |ret||ret||tab|

Sunshine Dolls & Bears is one of the largest name-brand doll dealers in Springfield. Because of this, the shop draws customers who are looking for a doll made by a particular manufacturer.|ret||ret||tab|

"If I don't have the doll a customer wants, I'm usually able to special-order it," Dixie Gilmore said. "Every doll manufacturer is different, but usually you have to order two to six or more dolls at once. What I usually do is wait and combine several special-orders. Most of my customers are pretty understanding, and they're willing to wait to get what they want."|ret||ret||tab|

In addition to name-brand dolls, the shop also contains an amazing array of porcelain dolls, all of which are handmade by Dixie Gilmore. Over the years, she has taught many people to make porcelain dolls. Some of these people have now opened their own business and are teaching others to make these dolls. |ret||ret||tab|

In addition to running their shop, the Gilmores help sponsor a semi-annual doll and toy sale in Springfield. In fact, the next doll and toy show sale will be held on Saturday, Nov. 4 at the University Plaza Trade Center. |ret||ret||tab|

According to Dixie Gilmore, specialty shows attract doll collectors from all over the United States. In addition to attending specialty shows, some of these collectors shop for dolls at popular Internet auction sites, such as e-Bay. However, most collectors prefer to touch and handle a collectible doll before buying it. |ret||ret||tab|

"I'm not really worried about losing business to the Internet," Dixie Gilmore said. "The doll collectors I know are very careful about what they buy and who they buy it from. I've built up a loyal customer base over the years, and I don't really see that changing."[[In-content Ad]]