Doll Doctor Specializes in Putting New Life Back in Old, Broken Toys

Cynthia Bows says she never owned a doll while growing up in Oakland during the Depression.

But now, she works with them nearly every day.

Bows, 57, restores ripped, broken and discolored dolls to their original condition.

“It’s a nice business, bringing dolls back to life,” she said at her shop, Doll World.

“I’m not a magician. I can’t fix every doll. But I sure as heck will try.”

She added, “My aim is to keep dolls around so they can be enjoyed by present and future generations.”

One of her customers, Barbara Brereton of Orinda, brought in a doll whose head had fallen off. She said the doll, now freshly repaired and looking as good as new, had been a present from her mother 30 years ago and will be passed on to her daughter.