The Story Behind “Big Blue Whale”

When you find yourself walking down historical 19^th street of the Houston Heights shopping district, there are several boutiques and shops you may come across. Perhaps you find yourself inside a thrifty antique store, or seated in a comfy chair of a charming café. But, if you are in search of curious toys and a sea of games, then you will probably find yourself at Big Blue Whale toy store. Step inside, and you’ll discover a plethora of toys for kids of all ages. From baby and elementary age toys to plush, games and even books. Owner Vanessa Wodehouse opened Big Blue Whale in the summer of 2014. Vanessa always knew she wanted to own her own business. With a background of 20+ years in the non-profit arena, including positions in children’s programming, she thought opening a toy store made perfect sense! Since day one, Manhattan Toy has been a part of Big Blue Whale’s toy selection. This unique store nestled in the Heights shopping district of Houston, Texas is a one stop shop for fun. Even the owner can be found playing with the toys or chatting-it-up with frequent customers. Whether you are in search of games, hard-to-find or handmade toys, you’re bound to find something you can’t do without. What sets Big Blue Whale apart from others is the unique store design and creative toy selection. Being located in one of the oldest neighborhoods in Houston, owner Vanessa was determined to make her store as unique as the surrounding community. Teaming with Becki and Jur van der Oord of Installations Antiques, a local styling and custom furniture design company, Vanessa and crew were able to “curate all the toy madness!” The store definitely has a very special feel. So if you are in the Houston Heights area and are in search of a unique store stocked with an array of toys for all ages, be sure to stop in at Big Blue Whale. Big Blue Whale 237 W. 19th Street Houston, Texas 77008 832.623.6990