About euroSource LLC

Founding

euroSource was founded March of 1999 in the community of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, USA and operated by two stay-at-home dads; before it was cool to be one.

In the Beginning

In December of 1998, I wanted to purchase some toys like I had seen in Europe, but couldn’t locate a source in the USA. What I did locate was an importer in New York who would sell me cases of toys from Germany, Italy and Spain. An internet e-commerce venture was born with a single supplier and a hand-tooled website. Eventually, there were many suppliers in Europe and a beautiful specialty web store developed.

Guiding Principles

We are guided by three simple principles:

  1. Provide European toys that encourage a child’s development rather than entertain.
  2. Provide an excellent customer experience through all interactions, virtual and physical.
  3. Be honest in all our business dealings.

Moving Towards Branded Stores

In August of 2008, the US passed new toy safety regulations that were not harmonized with existing EU safety regulations. This had a significant adverse effect on small to medium sized European brands – their products could no longer enter the US market without a large investment in testing to US standards even though the EU standard was more rigorous.

There was no choice but to eventually liquidate the original company and to start looking for new opportunity. There were only a small handful of medium sized European brands left; not nearly enough to put together a toy store.

Through visits to the International Toy Fair in Nuremberg Germany, we began to identify partners for wider brand distribution within the US and to do so in a way that promotes and protects the brand. Now we’re partnering with our European suppliers to open branded stores at euroSource so that it is possible to offer a wider selection of items from a single supplier.

Going Green

In our everyday operations, we try to operate as “greenly” as possible. That means reuse first, recycle second. All of our packing materials come from local businesses with incoming shipments. We keep it from entering the waste stream. We also reuse boxes. Sometimes you may receive your shipment in a box that was used for one of our incoming shipments or used by a local business. Please reuse too!

Meet the Family

euroSource LLC is run by the Hertzler family.

Randall, President

Enjoys an entrepreneurial spirit that includes toys, engineering, code, businesses, … Always makes time for engaging toys and tools. Loves to clear the head and stretch the legs while biking and gardening.

Kathryn, Director

Happily an organizer for Franklin & Marshall College. Assists euroSource and writes periodically. Enjoys cooking and wishes for time to finely prepare meals, alas convenience often trumps ‘finely’.

Flomar

Always looking at you with those big brown eyes and tail wagging. “Take me outside, throw the ball, woof.” May she rest in peace…