STORY AND PHOTOS BY KAREN BOSSICK

In all likelihood, there have never been so many adults crowded inside The Toy Store in Ketchum at one time.

Dozens of adults and a few children stood amidst the Lava lamps and Lego sets Saturday afternoon as the store’s new owners Lisa Pack and Marne Grange paid homage to Carol Knight, who has retired after 43 years.

The celebration had been planned for outside. But a lengthy afternoon rain that segued into snow later forced everyone inside where they enjoyed sparkling cider, wine and a buffet of cheeses and cookies.

Knight recalled how her first landlords, including Chuck Ferries, insisted that she and Nancy Quarton were crazy for wanting to open a toy store in Ketchum in 1978. Who would ever buy toys?! they insisted.

“I’m leaving the Toy Store in good hands. I’m a lucky gal,” she said.

Ketchum Mayor Neil Bradshaw presented her with the key to the city.

“The fact is: This key should be made out of Legos,” he said. “This is bittersweet. We thought she would last at The Toy Store another 40 years.”

Knight’s son John recounted how it was “pretty cool” growing up in the store where he and his siblings were kind of spoiled having all the latest toys at their disposal. But Mom laid down the hammer, he added.

Property manager Tim Eagan noted that he had raised a basketball team in the store and that now he was bringing grandkids to the store.

“I hope in the years ahead you get repaid with the same amount of love you gave to our kids and to the parents,” he told Knight.