Shop Local: The Dinosaur Farm (Video and Photos)

Owner of , David Plenn, recalls receiving an e-mail with the subject line: Stella McCartney has a job for you.

He quickly discarded the message thinking it was spam. Little did he know that McCartney actually did have a job for him. The clothing designer and daughter of Sir Paul McCartney was in a need of a $3000 inflatable dinosaur to adorn the window of her New York clothing store. 

"Kudos to the creative team who designed such an eye-catching display!" one blogger later wrote.

Plenn is no stranger to positive press. Since he and his wife, Shelley Stephens, opened The Dinosaur Farm 16 years ago, the toy store has been praised by a columnist at the L.A Times, Forbes Traveler and L.A. Parent magazine among others. 

The musician-turned-business owner prides himself on "cherry-picking" his merchandise, and says his store is "hipper than Target and Toys R Us." You'll hear no kiddie music at The Dinosaur Farm. 

Intricately painted to the likes of both young boys and girls, the store houses items such as Lava Lamps and German-made Bruder trucks in addition to countless dinosaur toys. Plus, Plenn rents out his back room to other local business owners, such as the well-known dance teacher, Miss Clare. 

You can find Plenn at the store on a daily basis talking with parents and engaging with their children. He has a total of six employees, which include those who help run his Internet business shipping dinosaur stuff—from bed sheets to lamps—all over the world. 

Signed to A&M records while a high school student in Arcadia (and later to Capitol Records), Plenn is not only known in South Pas for his toy store. Good news for those who follow his music performances around town: You can expect a "stripped down" CD later this year.

"I'm usually comfortable with electric guitar and band," Plenn explained. "I have just been doing a little more acoustic guitar stuff. I think I'll probably do a little CD this year—featuring more of those songs and then some rocking out."