The Toy Place Downtown is Magical
- Address: 804 Wellman Avenue, Huntsville
- Phone: 256-213-7069
- Open Monday-Saturday from 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
A World of Pure Imagination
The first thing you think when you step inside Huntsville native Susan Blevins’ shop is, Oh my goodness, my whole childhood is in here! Upon closer inspection, you’ll get verification that’s true, but there’s SO much more than nostalgia on the shelves.
The Toy Place Downtown is tucked away off of Pratt Avenue in the Five Points Huntsville area. From retro board games and yodeling pickles to chemistry sets and paper dolls, this toy store is literally stacked from floor to ceiling with cool stuff.
When Susan opened shop in 2012, she was hoping to provide a place where the young and young at heart could go to find unique toys at very reasonable prices. “I wanted kids to be able to get something good with their pocket money.” You won’t find video games or cheap plastic tchotchkes here. The Toy Place specializes in carrying well-made toys and candies that make you laugh, think, imagine, and delight.
If you’ve never stepped inside, the next few weeks and months is a great time to do so. The shop is stocked with new inventory after Susan went to Market, and just in time for Christmas and the Holiday Season.
What is the most challenging thing for you about owning a business?
Growing at a manageable level. Don’t be afraid to research the industry and listen to people [in it]. As far as the retail industry is concerned, I’ve had to learn quickly,
What is your favorite thing about owning your own business?
The customers! Parents play as much as the kids do. I just wanted to do something different and fun – and work with people I like! An added bonus is bringing my border collie to work with me.
My son and I decided to take a trip to The Toy Place to spend a little holiday money he’d been saving. His excitement was palpable.
Funkiest items of note known to frequent the shop:
– Bacon strip band aids
– Mystery Date board game
– Invisible Ink activity pads
– A Kitty Cat money bank that swiped the coin with her outstretched paw
– Yodeling pickle
– Chocolate, strawberry, and vanilla straw sippers
After much browsing, my little guy seemed overwhelmed. Susan looked at him, and pointed behind him to a bin full of bow & arrows. BINGO – His face lit up and he pulled out his tiny wallet. She knows her stuff, and she can read a kid. Make a point to swing by and see Susan at The Toy Place Downtown – you’ll be so glad you did!
This post was originally published in February of 2012 and information has been updated.
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Rocket City Mom is a website about raising children in and around Huntsville, Alabama. Started in late 2010 by a local mom and newcomer to Huntsville, Rocket City Mom has grown into a thriving community of local parents and now boasts a staff of four, thirteen regular contributors, and tens of thousands of Tennessee Valley readers making it the #1 Parenting Resource in North Alabama.