A Bunny Named Nathaniel
Lexi’s Toy Box, Crystal Metzger’s shop on South Ashley, is crammed with all manner of colorful toys, clothes and whimsical gee-gaws, many of them unavailable in other local stores.
And then there’s Nathaniel.
Crystal Metzger, owner of Lexi's Toy Box on South Ashley, with Nathaniel.
Having an animal inside your store isn’t that unusual. Down the street, Downtown Home & Garden has Lewis the cat. A block away on South Main, shoppers at Peaceable Kingdom get sniffed by the owner’s dog, Jane.
But a bunny? The Chronicle doesn’t know of any other shop that has one, unless they’re for sale.
Crystal’s family got Nathaniel from Midwest Rabbit Rescue and Re-home in Plymouth. He likes kids, loves to be held and can be found lounging around on the shop’s wooden floors, willing to be rousted with a treat of dried cranberries.
And because he looks like a stuffed animal – seriously, he does in real life, too, not just in the photo – Nathaniel fits right in.
See for yourself: Lexi’s Toy Box is located at 328 S. Ashley, and is open Tuesday-Friday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Closed Sundays and Mondays.