Our Story
PirastesSwap was founded in 2018 by Maria and Adrian Popescu, a husband and wife team with backgrounds in education and child development. As parents themselves, they were frustrated by the limited options for high-quality, educational toys in the Romanian market.
What began as a small online store operating from their apartment in Bucharest has now grown into Romania's most trusted toy retailer, with an extensive online presence and physical stores in major cities across the country.
The name "PirastesSwap" comes from the combination of "Piraste" (a Romanian term for playful creativity) and "Swap" (representing the exchange of ideas and the transformation that occurs through play). This name embodies our philosophy that through play, children transform their understanding of the world.
Our Mission & Values
Inspiring Imagination
We believe in the power of play to spark creativity and imagination. We prioritize open-ended toys that can be used in multiple ways, allowing children to express themselves and create their own play experiences.
Educational Excellence
Every toy in our collection is evaluated for its learning potential. We seek out toys that naturally encourage the development of cognitive, physical, social, and emotional skills through enjoyable play.
Safety First
We meticulously vet all products for safety, ensuring they meet or exceed European safety standards. We believe children should explore and experiment without unnecessary risks.
Environmental Responsibility
We're committed to increasing our selection of eco-friendly toys made from sustainable materials. We also work to minimize packaging waste and promote toys that foster environmental awareness.
Community Impact
We believe in giving back to the communities we serve. Through our toy donation program, educational workshops, and support for local children's charities, we aim to make play accessible to all Romanian children.
Family-Centered
As a family-owned business, we understand the joys and challenges of parenthood. We strive to support Romanian families with exceptional customer service, knowledgeable advice, and products that bring families together.
Our Team
Behind PirastesSwap is a dedicated team of toy enthusiasts, child development specialists, and customer service professionals who share a passion for quality play experiences.
Maria Popescu
Co-Founder & Educational Director
With a background in early childhood education, Maria oversees our product selection and educational content. Her expertise ensures that each toy we offer has genuine developmental value.
Adrian Popescu
Co-Founder & Operations Director
Adrian manages our business operations, logistics, and partnerships with toy manufacturers. His business acumen and commitment to quality have helped PirastesSwap grow while maintaining our core values.
Elena Dragomir
Child Development Specialist
Elena brings her expertise in developmental psychology to help parents select age-appropriate toys that align with their children's developmental needs and interests.
Mihai Ionescu
Sustainability Coordinator
Mihai leads our efforts to increase our eco-friendly product offerings and implement sustainable business practices throughout our operations.
Our Impact
At PirastesSwap, success isn't just measured in sales but in the positive impact we create:
- 500,000+ quality toys delivered to Romanian families
- 10,000+ toys donated to children in need
- 200+ free educational workshops conducted across Romania
- 30% increase in eco-friendly product offerings in the past year
- 25 local Romanian artisans and toy makers supported
We're proud of what we've accomplished so far, but we're even more excited about the future as we continue to grow and expand our positive influence on children's play experiences in Romania.
What Our Customers Say
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