5/26/2026
by Victoria Ritter
After a decades-long teaching career, Paula Neyhart decided it was time to transfer to a new venture. She opened The Bus Stops Here, an educational supply store in Lock Haven, PA, with her husband John in August 1993. Neyhart continued to teach third grade while operating the store with support from her family.
“At that time, we, as classroom teachers, mostly had to make whatever material we wanted or needed for our classrooms,” Neyhart explained. “I got the idea to open a store since there were more and more companies beginning to make and supply educational materials; busy teachers were happy to be able to see and buy the material locally.”
In 2009, Neyhart retired from teaching and made The Bus Stops Here her retirement job.
While a couple other educational supply stores nearby have closed their doors, The Bus Stops Here has remained a tried and true resource for local parents and educators.
A bus tour
As visitors stand outside the store – housed in a former bank built in the late 1800s – the set of double doors open just like a school bus, welcoming them into a world of wonder and learning. The roughly 2,115-square-foot sales floor is a square, but has a seemingly circular flow due to the flooring and lighting.
To the right is the checkout counter, science and art kits, games and books while an alcove dedicated to Melissa & Doug products, puppets, plush and puzzles are displayed to the left. The flow of the sales floor leads customers to shelves stocked with LEGO, Better Than Paper, bulletin board letters and decorative items.
“Things have changed quite a lot since schools have changed curriculum, and much of what the teachers use is supplied to enhance and supplement the curriculum being taught,” Neyhart stated. “However, The Bus Stops Here still has decoratives for use for anyone doing bulletin boards or working with children.”
Fat Brain Toys, Calico Critters, Teacher Created Resources, Blue Orange, Learning Resources/Educational Insights, Schleich and Crazy Aaron Putty are among the stores’ bestselling brands, according to Neyhart. Skills practice books, literature, flashcards and novelty items regularly perform well; bulletin board items are more popular when the back-to-school season hits.
All of the store’s inventory – encompassing no less than 5,000 SKUs – is meant for educational and fun purposes. There are baby items to games for adults, however, the primary focus is on ages infant to middle school. “All the products keep home schoolers, teachers, parents, grandparents and kids in mind,” Neyhart said. “There is something for everyone. I strive to make it a great place to get meaningful gifts for kids for birthday and other occasions, as well as a place to get help and suggestions for kids that need a little help with different concepts.”
Neyhart keeps tabs of what’s new in the toy and educational supply industries by attending Toy Fair in New York City, through suppliers’ correspondence and checking in with customers about certain products they’re looking for. When it comes to considering merchandise to stock, “all materials must be well made, reasonably priced and educationally sound,” she stated.
“The products may change, but the concepts stay the same, done in a sound educational format,” Neyhart added.
A community junction
Neyhart has faced varied challenges over the years, from space to fluctuating sales between quarters. Through it all, she is proud of how the store has weathered change and is grateful to the surrounding community which supports small businesses.
The Bus Stops Here has welcomed people from a 70-mile radius through its doors. Students from the nearby Lock Haven University and former “kids” who return to town for the holidays like to stop in and reminisce.
The store maintains strong ties with the surrounding area. Neyhart offers sales that coincide with larger community events and builds relationships with local schools through teachers and PTO events. She reaches out to new, potential customers through radio and newspaper advertisements, Facebook posts and emails; however, she has found that word of mouth is the most cost-effective and productive means to spread the word about The Bus Stops Here. “I’m most proud of how wonderfully I have been supported by the people who shop here,” Neyhart said. “The people want small business to thrive and stay in our town.”
As the world continues to turn and the school supply industry evolves, The Bus Stops Here will keep its wheels turning, providing a valuable, personable service to the community.
