Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - We are in the midst of the holiday season and many local toy stores are stocked and ready to handle the influx of Western New York Christmas shoppers looking to buy the perfect toy for kids.
"We are so excited," said Crystal Newman, owner of Bloomsbury Lane Toy Shoppe in Lancaster. "The store is full, we're decorated. The village of Lancaster is just so pretty, it's like a Hallmark movie and we're here to help."
While local toy shops may not have the specific thing your kids are requesting, they do offer a unique selection of toys that may not be readily available at the big box department stores.
"We have such a unique variety of toys and we have products from all over the world. We have beautiful Bruder trucks that are from Germany, as well as beautiful baby gifts made in America. People really appreciate the thought and the research that we do in our product buying to offer things that are unique that you don't see every day," said Newman.
"People come in specifically because they say, 'Oh, we can't find this anywhere. We can't find this.' It's just old school toys, crafts and science kits, blocks, wagons and puppets," noted Kellie Klos, co-owner of Clayton's Toys in Williamsville and on Hertel Ave. in Buffalo, a toy store business that is operating in Western New York for it's 107th year.
Newman tells WBEN her store does have some hot sellers.
"It's always the classics, like puzzles and stuffed animals. We have cute little crafts for the Christmas season. We have a lot of ornaments that have names on them, which people really enjoy. But the hottest, trendiest toy right now is called the "Fast Push-It" game.
An example of the "Fast Push-It Game", an almost fidget toy-esque game that kids have been going crazy for the last couple of years.FastPushGames.com
"It seems to me at this time of year, maybe more than the rest of the year, we sell a whole lot of doll and doll accessory stuff and you know cribs and high chairs and things along those lines. But for us, it's kind of everything we do sell a lot of everything. I think we sell a lot of big stuffed animals at this time of year too, because I feel like people can justify having a three-foot stuffed animal come into their life a little bit more around the holidays," says Klos.
Klos notes that a lot of people since the pandemic are choosing to shop local, which she appreciates.
"I do think the complimentary gift wrap is definitely a big selling point to people, we have a staff that is extremely knowledgeable on our products and what's appropriate for you any age that you're coming in and looking for. We can help you pick out the perfect gift.
I also think since the pandemic, in particular, people are really supporting local businesses, much more than they used to, because so many places have disappeared. I think that kind of got in the heads of some people. We've noticed, since we were able to reopen our doors to customers in store, there has been an increase in customers. Also, I think, there are some things you can buy online and there are some things that you want to see, touch and feel."
