rotofugi designer toy store & gallery

June 2014

We love all of our neighbors, truly we do. However, Rotofugi (pronounced with a “soft” G…like “RO-TOW-FOO-JEE)  has a very soft spot in our neighborly heart. I mean, how many places do you know where you can buy exclusive toys and look at noteworthy art at the same time?

“Rotofugi features a diverse selection of vinyl figures, capsule toys, plush and more from both eastern and western designers. The adjoining Rotofugi Gallery features monthly art exhibits by a range of both local and nationally known artists.”rotofugi- open

How amazing does that sound? No wonder it’s out favorite place to visit while on break. That being said, we had to stop by and chat it up with them.. and needless to say, they (husband and wife duo Kirby and Whitney Kerr) are as awesome and their store.

– – – – – – –  – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –  – – – — – – – – — – – – — – – – — – – – — – — –

SQN: What made you decide to open up an adult toy store?

R: We try to avoid calling ourselves an “adult” toy store, for obvious reasons, haha! (boy is our face red!!) We’re a “designer toy” store. Back in 2004, we were just getting into collecting these cool art toys that were coming out of Hong Kong and Japan and noticed that no one was selling them in Chicago…so we did it ourselves!

SQN: Where do you get most of your things from ?

R: They’re really from all over the world, but the majority are from the US, Japan, Hong Kong and Singapore.

SQN: What’s the deal with your Roto-matic? Any chance we’ll be able to get a vinyl toy made soon ?

S:The Roto-a-Matic is a vintage Mold-a-Rama machine that we rehabbed and made a new mold for…it now makes a figure by artist Tim Biskup. The figures it makes are actually a type of low grade plastic called “polyethylene wax,” so they’re not vinyl, but we still think they’re cool!

We’re currently working on a new mold that will, with any luck, be finished some time in July, but if it isn’t we’ll be firing the Roto-a-Matic back up and making more Helper Dragons (the figure by Tim Biskup) very soon!

rotofugiSQN: Where do you typically find your artists to feature?

R: Our gallery features works by artists from all over the US, as well as quite a few international artists. Our curator, David Van Alphen, scours the globe looking for cool artists and we invite them to show in our gallery.

** side note, the official Ghostbusters 30th Anniversary Art Show traveling exhibit presented by Gallery 1988 will be at Rotofugi for a short weekend showing starting tomorrow 6/20. Eeeek!!

SQN: Was the vision always to have both gallery and toy store in one?

R: When we first started, like before we actually opened, we did not plan a gallery…but wanted to make sure people understood that the toys we were selling were “art” and not just toys, so we referred to ourselves as a gallery. Turns out when you do that lots of people ask if they can show in your gallery…and we had both a toy store AND a gallery from the beginning.

SQN: Will we be seeing any other Rotofugis opening up ?

R: Not very likely! We’re happy and quite busy keeping up with our one store, monthly gallery exhibits and online store.

SQN: Anything else you’d like us to know? 

R: You’re never too old to love toys!

 – – – – – – –  – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –  – – – — – – – – — – – – — – – – — – – – — – — –

Stop reading and start shopping ! Oh and bring us a Ninjatown zipper pull.. please?

-SQN

 

 

Our Reviews

Policies

CANCELLATION AND PAYMENT POLICY
At Sine Qua Non, we know things happen. In order to ensure that we can accommodate all of our guests needs, we require that you give us at least 24 hours notice to cancel or reschedule your appointment.

We are unable to hold any appointment without a valid credit card on file. If you cancel without 24 hours notice or no show for your appointment, a charge equal to 50% of your service and will be charged to your card.

ADJUSTMENT TO SERVICES POLICY
Our goal is complete happiness with your fresh cut and color. If you need an adjustment service, they are free within 2 weeks from your original appointment, preferably with your original stylist. If a refund is requested, our policy is: Call and schedule an assessment with management within 2 weeks of your service. You must come into the salon, so we can see the problem in person. If you received an adjustment at a different salon or cannot stop by so we can see your hair, we will not refund your services.

PRODUCT RETURN POLICY
It is important to us that you are totally happy with your purchase. Product returns must happen within 30 days of purchase, be accompanied by a store receipt (and we can view in your client file) and the product must be nearly full. If you paid by credit card, you may receive a credit on your card. We are a completely cashless business.

LATE POLICY
We are committed to giving you the best one-on-one service available. If you are more than 15 minutes late, and we are unable to give you the attention you deserve, we ask that you reschedule your appointment for another day or with an available stylist.

Welcome to your

Stylist match quiz!

Find the perfect
Siné hairstylist for you!

TAKE OUR QUIZ