Local specialty toy stores (also called mom-and-pop toy stores) are smaller independently-run toy stores found in in cities and towns across the country (and the world). Unlike Toys "R" Us or the toy aisles at Walmart or Target, not very many of the the toys they sell are mainstream. They even operate much like the "original" Toys "R" Us, Childrens' Supermart in Washington, DC used to do in 1940s/1950s, out of a small or medium-sized shop.
A sample of the products these stores usually carry:
* Baby Toys (Rattles, Teething Rings, etc.)
* Stuffed Animals (Teddy Bears, etc.)
* Books
* Wooden Train Sets (Brio Wooden Railway or Thomas & Friends)
* Dolls/Dollhouses
* Model Railroading Kits/Supplies
* Model Car Kits
* Plastic Army Men
* LEGO/Duplo/LEGO Technic Building Sets
* Playmobil
* Educational Toys
* Old-fashioned Wooden Toys
* Bathtub/Water Toys
* Board/Card/Dice Games
There's over 1,000+ independent family-owned toy stores in our country.
Discuss.
Amato's Toy and Hobby 283 Main Street New Britain, CT. - The interior of this store was used for filming of a Lifetime Christmas Movie last year that starred Melissa Joan Hart, Mario Lopez, Beth Broderick, and Billy Gardel.
http://amatosnewbritain.com/
Amato's Toy and Hobby 395 Main Street Middletown, CT
http://www.amatosmiddletown.com/
S. W. Randall's in Downtown Pittsburgh. A very cool place!
https://www.swrandalltoys.com/
My daughter worked there when she was a college student.
The nearest one to me, Crackerjacks in Easton, MD. I haven't taken the time to stop in for years.
https://www.crackerjackstoys.com/
The nearest toy store to my place is called "School House" in Green Bay, Wisconsin, and like its name implies, sells educational supplies and toys. They even have a big selection of LEGO and Playmobil toys.
https://educationmakesthedifference.com/
https://www.facebook.com/SchoolHouseGB/
How about local hobby shops...
Time Machine in Manchester, CT...great place to buy model railroad supplies...and to watch club members run trains on Sundays...