11/05/2025
The Second Generation
The Toy Brothers/ The Toy Boys/
Mike and Carol Toy, Dan and Deena Toy, and Bill and Gina Toy / “the second leg of the relay”
In 1983, once Bob Toy stepped out of the ownership role of Toy’s Auto Parts and the Bicknel store was sold there were 3 locations at that time. Toys Auto Parts now began being managed under the newly formed Toy Brothers. Toy Brothers corporation owners included Mike and Carol Toy, Dan and Deena Toy, and Bill and Gina Toy. As it had been under the ownership of Bob, Danny continued on as the Odon store manager, Mike at the Dale location, and Bill now stepped in to lead the Loogootee store. Shortly after Toy Brothers purchased a building directly across from the current Loogootee store and housed a small warehouse in order to buy in bulk for more competitive pricing, better buying power, and parts distribution among their stores. Bob continud helping out at the warehouse in order to still have some involvement with the stores.
For several years, Mike, Danny, and Bill all shared equal responsibilities and made joint decisions regarding the day to day and overall operation of the three locations. And much in alignment with their father Bob the three brothers were eager to grow and expand their business. One by one , the brothers added addition stores. First, Ferdinand in 1984, second, Huntingburg in 1986, followed by Washington in 1990. Joe Sitzman was hired as the Ferdinand store manager and once Huntingburg store was opened Dan left Odon to managed the Huntingburg location. Dan hired Don Mangel and later Tom Riehle, (both lifelong employees) to work alongside him. Mike Jeffers, Deena Toy’s brother and previous employee at the Loogootee store, then stepped into manage the Odon location. In 1990 with the opening of Washington store, also a previous Loogootee store employee, Mike Doyle began overseeing that new location. In April 1999, Bill and Gina Toy independently decided to add an additional store solely under their ownership in Shoals. All ran smooth for several years but at one point the brothers began to recognize their differences in aspirations as to the direction and the overall future of Toy Brothers thus in 2000, the brothers respectfully made the mutual decision to begin operating as separate business owners. Each brother and spouse took two stores. Dan and Deena took Odon and Huntingburg, Mike and Carol claimed Dale and Ferdinand, and Bill and Gina acquiring the Loogootee and Washington locations. Over the years the store’s main suppliers were Autopro and later on Big A.