Toy Joy was founded in 1987 near the University of Texas campus and quickly became known for its quirky toys and collectibles geared toward children and adults. After the store fell on hard times 10 years ago, owners Fred Schmidt and Shelley Meyer have breathed new life into the quirky shop that is now a multimillion-dollar operation. The owners explain their unique approach to real estate and their plans to take the Austin icon across Texas. This is part of ABJ’s Austin Icons series, which aims to shine a light on the longtime businesses that make Austin what it is.