The owners of Louie’s Toy Box are operating the long-running second show for the first time this year.

“We’re just one big, happy family,” said Donna Goettl, who owns the store with her husband, Louie.

She’s talking about the all the vendors and collectors, many of whom know each other from their travels on the collectible toy circuit.

Even though there are 85 vendors in Mankato selling toys and hundreds of people wandering the aisles at each event, one veteran collector says recent economic troubles are reverberating throughout the toy industry, too.

It’s down, says Jason Clouse of Silver Lake, a collector of 20 years or so.

“Down big-time,” adds his wife, Vicki.

Still, Jason Clouse says he’s “glad to see two shows in Mankato.”

It’s something different, not your typical entertainment fare.

Both toy shows continue today, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.