About Us
The Magic of Wonder Works 2023
Passing of the Wand 2021
Elizabeth with her husband, Stephen and her daughter, Liza, 2021
Meet Head Magic Maker Elizabeth "Schnookie" Darby
Elizabeth "Schnookie" Darby is the owner of Wonder Works Toy Store in Charleston, SC. Schnookie grew up around the store where her mother was an employee and started working there herself as a salesclerk at 15 years old. After graduating from College of Charleston, she has continued in many different roles from Operations Manager to Buyer, and since purchasing the business in July of 2021, Owner/Head Magic Maker. She has been an integral part of the business for over 2 decades of growth, trends, and of course — magic. Shortly before purchasing the company, she welcomed her first daughter, Liza, into the world. Schnookie looks forward to continuing Wonder Works' legacy of showcasing the industry's hottest items and making magic in the Charleston community for years to come.
Christine with her grandchildren, Maddy, Chase, and McKay, 2018
Meet Founder Christine Osborne
With the uncanny ability to spot a craze and the year's hottest items before they even hit the shelves, Christine leads her team with a passion to provide children and families with the most magical toys that help develop social, mental, and physical skills while inspiring fun, creativity, and imagination! As the owner of Wonder Works, Christine has been an integral part of the Charleston community and toy industry for nearly three decades. She and Wonder Works toy stores have won countless awards and recognitions based on the business’s success, achievements, and community involvement. Christine is devoted to supporting the talented children of the Charleston community and provides a platform for child entrepreneurs, child musicians and singers, child authors, and children’s charities.
“Wonder Works is truly a magical world and it has unveiled my true passion. One child can make a difference; it’s as simple as that. My mission is to empower these children and to help them find their voice and their passion so they can then inspire others. The ripple effect will be set into place and the magic will just unfold.”
Christine with her husband, Wayne, and sons, Wayne and Kyle, at Wonder Works' grand opening in 1990
What Sparked the Magic?
Christine Osborne and co-owner Dan Morrisey opened the doors to the very first Wonder Works on August 10, 1990. Their mission was to create a different kind of toy store – one that inspired the magic and wonder of fun. The two met while working together at Southern Pines Hospital from 1981-1990. After earning her degree from the Medical University of South Carolina, Christine worked as an Occupational Therapist and as the hospital’s Marketing Director. Dan helped open the hospital and served as Hospital Administrator. But Christine and Dan wanted to do something more, something inspirational. So the two put their heads and their passions together and opened Wonder Works. The business they built together has now seen two generations of local children play, grow, and bring their own children back to experience the wonder of a new toy sparking creativity and joy. Dr. Dan's creative, courageous spirit is still with us every day after he passed away in 2007. Christine is still the beating heart of the company. You'll catch her jingling sleigh bells at Elfstravaganza, running around at Wonderfest, or pitching in at one of our two locations at a moment's notice.