Lakeshore Learning Store

Like many great enterprises, Lakeshore began with one person taking a chance. In this case, it was Ethelyn Kaplan, an Omaha homemaker who decided to pack up her family and move to California to open a toy store back in 1954. The move was a bit unconventional for a woman in 1950s America, but then again, entrepreneurs don't typically follow the status quo. Initially, Mrs. Kaplan focused on selling toys to parents, but before long, local schools began calling her for art materials and other classroom provides.