Walk into an American Girl store – any American Girl store – and you’ll see different shades of pink. Everywhere. That, and dolls, which cost a minimum of $110. Accessories and services like ear-piercing cost more.

American Girl has been around since the 1980s. Their dolls started out as historical characters, who starred in accompanying books about significant periods in American history. Over the years, the line has expanded to include more contemporary characters.

Jean McKenzie, the woman who runs American Girl for its parent company, Mattel, says parents see the dolls as an investment. “I think they feel good about it because it’s quality and there’s just a lot of meaning behind it.”

She took Marketplace host Kai Ryssdal on a tour of her store, at The Grove in Los Angeles  He’s … well, you should just watch:

Video produced by Preditorial

Director: Rick Kent

Producer: Mimi Kent

Director of Photography: Anton Seim

Editor: Zachary Rockwood

Music: “Run Amok” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) 

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0