The Toy Store

Due to a last minute gift-​giving malfunction, I found myself in dire need of juggling balls. Despite not ever having been to The Toy Store, I felt relatively certain they’d carry them. A friendly woman greeted me at the door [they were just opening] and asked if I needed help finding anything. Typically, I’d just wander the store, browsing at my own pace, but I just cut straight to the chase: «I need juggling balls.»
«We have them,» she said.
Except there wasn’t a clearly demarcated juggling ball /​awesome people overcoming childhood awkwardness section. We looked through different areas, scoured the walls, and I started reconsidering my gut feeling about the place. Another customer needed to be helped, so I kept looking for them on my own. I didn’t find them, either.
But what I did find were wonderful toys I used to play with as a kid, and kites, and the bigger flying disk that I’ve been looking for that Richard’s Variety doesn’t carry, and sanrio stuffs and. .. just as I noticed my hands were full with everything BUT my intended purchase, the woman shouted she found the juggling balls. Yeeeeee! I picked up two sets [they were really cheap. They also weren’t the really legit balls with evenly distributed weight that break in deliciously, but who cares, they were cheap].
They have all sorts of novelty knick knack, stocking stuffer doodads that will terrorize the most a.d.d-ridden of individuals. It’s a really solid independent toy store and a pleasure to have in the community. I was definitely psyched.
But what truly puts The Toy Store over the top is that they carry the elusive and amazing German-​made Pustefix bubble solution — the longest lasting bubble in the world. And they’re iridescent and shit. I normally have to score this stuff online or esoteric underground shops that know what’s up.
Now I have a dealer in my own neighborhood. No need for shady transactions in hippie hangouts.

Awesome old school toy store.
Great «locally» owned small business … if given the choice to go to Walmart or pay $ 1 more for a toy at The Toy Store, it’s a no-​brainer. The owners are very nice people who take great pride in operating their small business.
Great selection of toys, competitive prices and they will gift wrap a toy if it for a b’day party and your on the go.
I’ll be doing a lot of x-​mas shopping here to support them.

I was in need of a gift to bring to Toy Party and instead of going to Wal-​Mart, I decided to patronize a small business. I’m glad I did. The Toy Store is pretty well stocked with different items and still retains the feel of a neighborhood shop. I was surprised at the number of customers that were also there (I guess I shouldn’t doubt the power of a small business owner) and there seemed to be a number of repeat and/​or regular customers.
Again, great location, pretty good selection, and reasonable prices. I encourage everyone to help save this endangered species — a neighborhood toy store.

wide selection.
poor layout.
disinterested staff.

Ok, I am a little biased because I used to work here. For like a long time. And since I left there are new owners. I am sure the store is still top notch. It is a specialty store, with some overlapping items you might be able to find at Target, but way closer. Old school stuff, silly adult (not that kind of adult) toys, puzzles, Brio, Playmobil, arts and crafts etc etc. The staff is very helpful if you need a recommendation because you don’t know jack about kids. They also quickly gift wrap for free. Why would you not go here?