Miffytown celebrates a Dutch storybook character in Kentucky

WILLIAMSTOWN, Ky. ( FOX 56 ) — More people traveling I-75 are getting off at Exit 154 these days, to visit the Ark Encounter, Williamstown Lake, or Kentucky Veterans Cemetery North. And if they go a little farther into the heart of Williamstown, they may feel as if they’ve crossed the ocean. There’s a Dutch treat on Main Street—a business that makes visitors feel as it they’ve been hauled to Holland.

Jackie Philippo-Nago often has to explain how her store came to be located in a town with just 4,000 residents. “My parents are both immigrants from the Netherlands,” she said. “I’m first generation American and so we live here in Williamstown and we just really wanted to bring something from my childhood to the area.”

That something is a love for Miffy, a fictional rabbit created by Dutch artist Dick Bruna in 1955.

“There are people of all ages who enjoy Miffy products or Miffy in their lives,” Jackie said.

Jackie Philippo-Nagy grew up with Miffy books, and now she sells them, along with stuffed toys, tiles, pillows, and plates, in a store and play place called MiffyTown. The business was founded by her father, Hans Philippo, who has a lot of nostalgia for his homeland.

There are other Miffy experiences in Europe, but this is the only one in the U.S.

The family’s main endeavor is a flower bulb business, but they thought it just made sense to connect it with Miffy. Part of what Miffy does in books and videos is plant seeds and bulbs and show appreciation for nature.

Kids who come to Miffytown can plant a bulb in a community garden and come back throughout the year to watch it grow and bloom.

They can also hear stories, work puzzles, and build castles. All of the activities are free.
Julia Liu brought her son from Richmond after a friend from The Netherlands told her to check it out.

“I didn’t know anything about Miffy,” she said. “I just know it’s a cartoon character and I didn’t tell him anything about it. I just wanted him to come here to see it and learn about it.”

She was impressed, saying she loved the colorful environment and the variety of activities available for young children.

Miffy is a superstar in some parts of the world and Jackie hopes people will blaze a bunny trail to celebrate the storybook character in Kentucky.

“It was something very exciting that we could bring to our community to not only showcase Miffy but to showcase our little town,” she said.

With Miffy’s help, Williamstown’s Main Street may become a hopping place.

“We’ve had lots of different people from all over the country that have come to visit us.”

For hours and to keep up with special events, visit Miffytown’s website here.

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