A Bunny Named Nathaniel

Lexi's Toy Box sells stuffed animals – but this one's for real

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.

It's a bunny!

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.

Section: Business

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