They giggle in sync and often. They hug dolls, build Brios and play with toys. But Lauren Batlle and Mary Tague are not children. They're actually parents and the new owners of Toy Town, formerly Bristol's Toys, in The Square Shopping Center.

Batlle, who has a 7-month-old and an 8-year-old, and Tague, who has a 7-year-old and 9-year-old, bought the toy store, which has been a Key Biscayne staple for at least two generations, early this month. It was an idea they'd been toying with for awhile but when their children announced their moms' intentions to their classmates, the two women knew there was no turning back.

Batlle and Tague's kids have in fact played a major role in establishing the store. They have given their mothers important feedback on what's hot and what's not in the toy circuits. They even thought of the store's new name.

"Our kids are really our best consultants," said Batlle, who graduated with a business degree from University of Miami and who is also a partner in a children's clothing store.

"We get recommendations and suggestions from all the kids that walk in," added Tague, a former commercial real estate broker. And while the co-owners' children and their peers are their buying agents for the latest trends in toys, most of the toys sold at Bristol's Toys will still be available to Toy Town customers.

"We bought their [Bristol's Toys'] complete inventory," Tague explained. "And then some," Batlle added, laughing simultaneously with Tague.

The two formerly full-time moms said they decided the toy business would be a manageable endeavor for their family lifestyles.

"We thought it would be fun," Tague said. "We could spend time with our children and their friends. They could do their homework in the store." Toy Town offers specialty toys by Brio, Lego, Sanrio, Gund, Playmobil, Barbie and the latest craze, Beanie Babies. Customers can also choose from craft sets such as gardening, jewelry making, stained glass and science projects; children's videos, music and books; old and new board games; sporting equipment; stickers; watches; Silly Putty, jacks and other nick knacks; Corolle dolls; stuffed animals and puppets; and a variety of other toys. Patrons can also select a number of educational toys, games, computer software and books.

"We are looking to go a little more international with our toys and a little more educational with our merchandise," Batlle said. In addition, Tague and Batlle said they hope to make Toy Town a hang-out place for children and adults alike with a reading, music and computer room upstairs and brightly painted walls.

"We want to make this more a meeting place," Tague explained, "like a Barnes and Noble bookstore." All toys are touchable. "We want the children to feel they can come in and play with the toys," explained Batlle, who can conduct business in Spanish.

The store will also be very user-friendly, with birthday registry, shipping, toy basket and free gift wrapping services. Store hours are 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday through Saturday. For information, call 361-5501 or visit their webpage at: www.key-biscayne.com/toytown.