Bankrupt games and puzzle retailer acquired

The company responsible for last year’s hottest holiday toy has bought Marbles: The Brain Store.



Toronto-based Spin Master Corp., creators of hit toy Hatchimal, said its purchase of Marbles builds upon Spin Master's increased presence in the games and puzzles category. Under the terms of the sale, Spin Master will acquire the company's brand name, e-commerce business, portfolio of games and other assets.



Additionally, Scott Brown, Marbles co-founder and chief merchant, will join Spin Master.



Marbles started as a kiosk in a Chicago-area mall in 2008, and grew into a 40-store retailer, e-commerce, catalog and product business specializing in games with “brain benefits.” Each game within its portfolio is reviewed by a panel of brain-health experts to ensure the brand is building products with the brain in mind, according to Marbles.



The company filed for Chapter 11 in February after a dismal holiday season and closed all stores, but continued to look for a buyer for its business. Spin Master emerged as the successful bidder at the conclusion of the sale process on April 24, 2017. Spin Master's $2.5 million bid was the only one Marbles received, according to a bankruptcy court filing, reported The Chicago Tribune.



“The Marbles mission has always been to build better brains through play,” said Marbles co-founder Brown. “I am excited that the Spin Master acquisition will help us continue that mission. We look forward to growing with Spin Master and getting our products into the hands and brains of more people who will love them."