ToyStoreGuide.com went live on January 21 after a bunch of research and planning. 10 days later while walking through Target I received an Instagram message from OH, I HAD THAT!
OH, I HAD THAT! is an Instagram, Podcast, Youtube Channel and Online Store that feeds it’s followers hunger for nostalgia. I especially like it for my 90’s ‘memberberry fix. ‘Member the little books that Kenner would include in the box with the vehicles and playsets? The Kenner Action Toy Guide!
Josh with OH, I HAD THAT! was reaching out to let me know that he liked the idea for the site, and to help send us in the right direction. For Christmas last year he highlighted 12 Toy Stores for the 12 Days of Christmas.
I immediately thanked him for the feedback and let him know I’d been following his posts for a while. I already had screen shots of all 12 stores in my “Stores to Research” folder.
It is hard to express the gratitude that I felt for the help and kind words (Thank You to everyone that reached out online or in person this last year. The positive feedback is priceless). Of course Josh and I have a lot in common. Being fans of general nostalgia and more specifically big Back to the Future fans. It is awesome to know how many kindred spirits there are out there. I say it all the time and also not enough… The Toy Community is awesome!
With that being said, we are happy to announce that the 12 Toy Stores that OH, I HAD THAT! highlighted last year can all be found here on ToyStoreGuide.
Here they are in no specific order…
Outatime 80’s Retro Shop in Upland, CA
Your spot for 80’s Music, 80’s Movies, 80’s Comic Books, and of course 80’s Toys. Also 80’s inspired toys like Super7 ReAction figures. This year the Retro Shop moved to a new location, bringing the arcade and its High Scores along.
Farpoint Toys & Collectibles in Mays Landing, NJ
Like all stores, this year has been hard on our friends at Farpoint. Then on June 3rd, an electrical fire broke out during a storm at the Eisner-nominated nerd-shop & museum. A successful GoFundMe followed, and they will be back and better than ever very soon.
Toy de Jour started the year off by moving to a new location. When we reached out to see if they wanted to be a part of ToyStoreGuide, not only did they agree but they also sent over a bunch of other stores in the Chicago area!
“What’s the Toy de Jour? It’s the Toy of the Day. That sounds good, I’ll have that…”
Totally Rad Toyhouse in Nashville, TN
Another store that moved to a larger spot (right next door to the original), the Totally Rad Toyhouse was one of the first stores we featured on the site. I just actually learned that they moved, so look for an update coming to their profile real soon!!!
Hasttel Toy & Collectibles in Medford, NY
Hasttel Toys has become the place on Long Island for Wrestling fans to get their plastic fix and for great meet and greets and signings with Pro Wrestlers. Even though Hasttel Toys specializes in Wrestling figures they carry the full assortment of retro and new toys.
Luke & Cade’s Toy Chest in Woodbury, NJ
We visited Luke & Cade’s before launching the site and asked them if they would take part. They agreed and we were able to take some pics and get a real feel for the space. Luke & Cade’s is one part of a “Nerd Mall”, a 6000 sqft megastore carrying full lines of action figures, collectibles, card games, video games and board games. We were able to revisit them last month to grab some more pieces.
Jayden’s Toys in Lewisville, TX
Last year OH, I HAD THAT! told us about Jayden’s Toys in Lewisville. Well in July Jayden moved his flagship store to Frisco, Texas. Rather than close the Lewisville location, it is now still open and sells most of its Toys for $20 or less.
As soon as you walk into this place the checkered floor lets you know that you are not just surrounded by junk, but you have found some Retro Junk! More than Toys, Retro Junk has video games and the coolest retro Tees.
!Ka-Pow!! Collectibles in Chicago, IL
Another Chicago favorite, !Ka-Pow!! prides itself on giving customers sensory overload. When you walk in it is like !Ka-Pow!! to your face with Toys from floor to cieling.
Replay Toys in Hendersonville, TN
The folks at Replay Toys in Tennessee love toys so much that they want to share the love with everyone. They love memories so it is no wonder OH, I HAD THAT! loves them. Their store is full of new toys and old toys to keep the memories coming. They are one of three stores named Replay Toys that are listed on the Toy Store Guide and I dare you to visit all three!!!