For today’s Q&A with a local business during this holiday shopping season, we hear from Annie Hedrick of New Canaan Toy Store on Park Street.
Here’s our exchange.
Annie Hedrick and Nathan Shapiro, owners of New Canaan Toy Store on Park Street. Photo courtesy of Annie Hedrick
New Canaanite: You were able to complete a major renovation at New Canaan Toy Store in September. What’s the response been like from customers?
Annie Hedrick: The response has been fantastic! We get compliments all day long—even from kids—who tell us how amazing it looks and how much easier it is to shop. The new, open floor plan allows more customers to browse together in comfort.
We’re in what should be the busiest time of year for many of our local retailers. What’s the activity level been like in terms of local shopping at the store since Black Friday?
Inside the New Canaan Toy Store on Park Street. Photo courtesy of Annie Hedrick
We’ve been busier than ever since we reopened in September! Families got a start on their holiday shopping long before Black Friday and it has only gotten busier since then.
Last year’s holiday season was very tricky for a lot of retailers, as we’d seen a surge in COVID-19 infection rates after a summer lull. We’re in a much better place now, though the pandemic has lingered. When we connected in May 2020, you noted that puzzles became an essential item amid the pandemic, and that games, LEGOs and crafts and building toys were keeping families engaged. Is that still the case? What are your most popular items now?
Inside the New Canaan Toy Store on Park Street. Photo courtesy of Annie Hedrick
LEGO is consistently our top seller. We are known for our wide selection of LEGO sets that appeal to kids of all ages. Barbies are a big draw, too, and we expanded our selection when we renovated. We are still selling lots of games and puzzles, especially as families are coming together for the holidays. We created a cozy book nook, which is getting a lot of attention. Other popular categories are arts and crafts, toy vehicles, dress-up, pretend play and sports.
Some of our hottest toys are:
- Magna-Tiles, a magnetic building system, is suddenly hot this season since they just came out with a bunch of new sets.
- Stomp Racers, a new car racing toy from the makers of Stomp Rockets are very popular.
- Koosh, has come out with a new line of cool sports toys, including Koosh Sharp Shot Electronic Game.
- Fidgets, fidgets, fidgets! Poppits and other fidget toys like the Nee Doh and Tangle have been hot all year and are still going strong!
Inside the New Canaan Toy Store on Park Street. Photo courtesy of Annie Hedrick
We’ve had a lot of new, young families move to New Canaan in the past 20 months. What would you like to tell them about New Canaan Toy Store?
We are an old store with a fresh new look (and outlook!). Families with young children will appreciate our extensive selection of toys and books for babies, toddlers and preschoolers. In addition to the hottest toys, we are also interested in stocking the best toys. We feature large selections from great European toy companies like Playmobil, Bruder and Djeco as well as some excellent American companies that make their toys here in the States, like Green Toys, Harrisville Designs and Crazy Aaron Thinking Putty.
Inside the New Canaan Toy Store on Park Street. Photo courtesy of Annie Hedrick
What else would you like to tell our readers?
We redesigned our space to make it a more open and enjoyable place to gather and shop. It’s been such a joy to see families enjoying time together in the renovated store. We are truly a family business and when you come in you will likely find Nathan or Annie (brother and sister co-owners) or our mom, Ilene, as well a group of experienced staff members. Feel free to ask us for help choosing toys and books that are just right for the children in your family. We look forward to seeing you!
[Past installments of our Q&A series with local businesses this holiday season can be found here.]