Thu 17 May 2007
Game Show
474 6th Ave. (12th St.) 633-6328 / 1240 Lexington Ave. (83rd & 84th Sts.) 472-8011
Mon–Wed and Fri–Sat noon–7pm, Thurs noon–8pm, Sun noon–5pm.
The Edge: Adult toys. § An extensive selection of games and puzzles arranged by category from real estate to politics.
Leisure hours & parties
Toys, games & hobbies
Thu 17 May 2007
Flosso-Hornmann Magic Company
45 W. 34th St., Room 607 (5th & 6th Aves.)/212-279-6079
Weekdays 10am–5pm, Sat 10am–4pm.
The Edge: You name the trick, this shop has it. § The city’s oldest magic shop, founded in 1869. You’ll find magic acts, books, manuals, historical treatises, and equipment.
Leisure hours & parties
Toys, games & hobbies
Thu 17 May 2007
FAO Schwarz
5th Ave. (58th & 59th Sts.)/212-644-9400
Mon–Wed 10am–6pm, Thurs–Sat 10am–7pm, Sun 11am–6pm.
The Edge: Tiffany’s for tots. § An unbelievable range of toys, including the Barbie Boutique, electric trains, life-size stuffed animals, and battery-operated toys, plus all the latest rages. No wonder FAO is the place all out-of-towners and grandparents must visit. § “A classic.” “Fairyland for adults and children alike.” “Huge store, unlimited merchandise.” “No longer out of the ordinary.” “Too expensive and crowded.”
Leisure hours & parties
Toys, games & hobbies
quality style service value: 45 44 36 32
Thu 17 May 2007
Erica Wilson
717 Madison Ave. (63rd St.)/212-832-7290
Mon–Wed and Fri–Sat 10am–6pm, Thurs 10am–7pm.
The Edge: The best selection of needlepoint patterns. § Known by all for her top-quality (and top-priced) needlework patterns and wools. Also patterns for hand- knit sweaters. Blocking and mounting services. § “Beautiful designs and instruction in needlepoint. Expensive.”
Leisure hours & parties
Toys, games & hobbies
quality style service value: 45 42 41 35
Thu 17 May 2007
Enchanted Forest
85 Mercer St. (Spring & Broome Sts.)/212-925-6677
Mon–Sat 11am–7pm, Sun noon–6pm.
The Edge: Like coming into a forest. § A magical spot for children focusing on animal themes. Features unique lifelike animals, kaleidoscopes, wooden musical instruments, and books. What makes it more fun for children is passing through trees, bridges, and waterfalls to shop. The toll-free number is 800-456-4449.
Leisure hours & parties
Toys, games & hobbies
Wed 16 May 2007
Dollhouse Antics
1343 Madison Ave. (94th St.)/212-876-2288
Weekdays 11am–5:30pm, Sat 11am–5pm; Sun afternoons in Dec before Christmas (call for hours); July–Aug, Tues–Fri 11am–5:30pm
The Edge: For children and collectors. § This is the biggest miniatures store in the city, featuring furniture and dollhouses, with carpenters on the premises to restore pieces. Will make custom room boxes—from $150 to $10,000, depending on detail- –and offers classes on how to do it yourself. There’s a large range of miniatures, from top of the line to lower end, with styles from Colonial to Victorian to contemporary. Some pieces are complete with electricity. Also soft toys and soft dollhouses. Gift registry service.
Leisure hours & parties
Toys, games & hobbies
quality style service value: 37 37 42 37
Wed 16 May 2007
Disney Store
212-221-0430 for locations
Mon–Sat 10am–8pm, Sun noon–8pm.
The Edge: Hollywood kitsch. § Lots of memorabilia and labeled items from Disney ’s films and characters. § “Great novelty store.” “I don’t like my children being a walking ad!”
Leisure hours & parties
Toys, games & hobbies
quality style service value: 36 36 32 29
Wed 16 May 2007
Crafts on Broadway
2160 Broadway (76th St.)/212-501-7320
By appointment.
The Edge: Great inexpensive stuff. § It can be worth it to walk up to the second floor in this unprepossessing brownstone. Has a good selection of both name-brand kits and educational toys for 1- to 10-year-olds. Makes getting favors for kids’ parties easy.
Leisure hours & parties
Toys, games & hobbies
Wed 16 May 2007
Compleat Strategist
11 E. 33rd St. (5th & Madison Aves.) 685-3880 / 320 W. 57th St. (8th & 9th Aves.) 582-1272
Mon–Wed and Fri–Sat 10:30am–6pm, Thurs 10:30am–9pm.
The Edge: Large selection of strategy games. § Specializes in military games covering just about every battle and every period in military history. Also chess and backgammon sets, Risk, and Monopoly. No delivery. § “Unususal items.”
Leisure hours & parties
Toys, games & hobbies
quality style service value: 40 34 30 33
Wed 16 May 2007
Children’s General Store
Grand Central Station (Lexington Passage) 682-0004 / 2473 Broadway (92nd St.) 580-2723
Mon–Sat 10am–6pm, Sun noon–5pm.
The Edge: Calling all kids. § Kids love the place. From playthings that are fun to play with (and hold up) to chic clothing and health- care necessities—this is the place.
Leisure hours & parties
Toys, games & hobbies