For today’s installment of our holiday shopping series, we stopped by the New Canaan Toy Store on Monday afternoon and talked to Assistant Manager Morgan Porter.
Morgan Porter: “The Nee-Doh’s are very popular. They’re little squeezy fidget toys that you can play with. they can also be for hand-strengthening, the tougher ones. Kids bring them to school or just buy them to play with. They come in all shapes and sizes.” Ranging from $2.99 to $6.99 depending on size. Photo credit: Michael Dinan
Here’s a transcription of our interview.
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New Canaanite: How’s it going so far this holiday shopping season? Morgan Porter: It’s been picking up, getting busier as the holidays get closer.
Morgan Porter: “The Squeezy Mates and Teenymates are surprises figures of athletes from MLB, NBA and NFL. So you don’t know which player you’re going to get, and that’s what makes it exciting for the kids to buy. We have the gift sets ($39.99) and individual ($11.99).” Photo credit: Michael Dinan
What kind of things are people interested in?
People are now shopping for the holidays, so they’re getting board games, stocking stuffers. Legos have been really popular. Gift sets. We have Advent calendars. The Squeezy Mate and Teenymate sports toys are selling like crazy.
How do you describe what you have on offer here in the Toy Store?
Notre Dame, Lego Architecture ($249.99). Morgan Porter: “The architecture sets are bigger and pricier. We have Lego-Technic, those are the cars that range from $20 to $200 depending on size. And the Star Wars and Minecraft ones are really popular right now.” Photo credit: Michael Dinan
We have toys for all ages from a few months old to teenagers. We like to sell things that are higher quality than maybe you’ll find in Walmart or big department stores, so that our customers feel like they’re getting a better selection, and we offer gift wrapping and bags free of charge, so the shopping experience is better.
The New Canaan Toy Store is open 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4pm Sunday.
While it is too easy to shop on my PC these days, shopping local is critical to the success of our town and those who run businesses on our great retail streets. The New Canaan Toy Store makes this SOOOO easy. Engaging owners and help who offer a solid variety of great toys…and if you do spot checks on the prices with popular online eTailers the comparisons are not too vast. They get it…and as such get my business.