Five Best Toy Stores in the Chicago Area

Black Friday is quickly advancing but before rushing off to shop on the big day, I hope you will take a moment to check out this list of what I think may be five of the best sources for children's gifts in the Chicago area. With one exception, I have personally visited each place and just being there made me feel like a kid again - the true test of a great toy store.

American Girl Place
835 North Michigan Avenue
Chicago, IL 60611

Somebody who loves little girls invented American Girl Dolls but for years we could only buy the beautiful toys through catalogs or the website. Now thanks to a lot of dedicated effort by somebody as well as a presumably whopping Leap of Faith investment, American Girl Places have blossomed in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, Minneapolis and New York where they appear to be flourishing in spite of the economic downturn.

These are stores that little girls' dreams are made of. No effort has been spared, nothing is too weird, wacky or wonderful to employ on behalf of lucky American lasses who get to visit American Girl Place with their dolls. The stores are beautifully decorated, staffed by friendly people and stocked with hundreds of potential purchases ranging in price from not-too-bad up to the sort of indulgences Elvis would have treated Lisa Marie to in the old days. "Special experiences" are also available, including birthday celebrations, tea parties, photo studio, doll hair salon and other exciting features too numerous to mention here. For holiday shopping hours, reservations, directions on how to get to the store and more information phone 877-247-5223 or go to www.americangirl.com.

A little girl who loves dolls will never forget a visit to American Girl Place. The biggest-ticket items appear to be parties, dining options and other special features. I suspect that your favorite American Girl would be just as thrilled (and you could save a lot of money) if you show her through the store, buy her a couple things, and just stop off for sundaes at Ghiradelli's across the street (or a movie over at Water Tower Place) afterwards.

Borders Books & Music
1144 Lake St., # 100, Oak Park, IL 60301, (708) 386-6927

A favorite spot for Oak Park book-worshipers and the scene of many a midnight madhouse during the glory days of anxiously awaited Harry Potter releases, this wonderful place sports a terrific collection of children's literature, toys, and great stocking stuffers. Though not a toy in the truest sense, a great children's book is a gift which will continue to deliver pleasure and amusement long after its young owner has grown up.

Santa's Exhausted Helpers will find books, DVD's, and other stuff for their own enjoyment and may want to conclude a visit to Border's by stopping downstairs in the café for a cup of Seattle's Best and a snack.

Build-A-Bear Workshops
Woodfield Shopping Center, Woodfield Mall, Schaumburg, IL 60173
Oakbrook Center, Oak Brook, IL 60523-1810
Navy Pier, 700 East Grand Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611

Here a child can adopt a furry bear or other stuffed toy which is undressed until its new owner "pawsonalizes" the creature with tiny costumes and accessories available for separate purchase. Toys cost $10 to $25 in their glorious Adam-naked state, with apparel going for $3 to $15 each.

Build-A-Party social events are also available for a "starting price of $10 per guest." I am unsure whether this basic cost includes the price of a toy and its accessories for each child. At any rate, guests will be supervised by a "pawsonal party planner" who has dressed herself and will make sure the small party-goers have fun within a budget predetermined by the guest-of-honor's Mommy. For more details, visit http://www.buildabear.com.

Hobby City
6910 Cermak Road, No. 1, Berwyn, IL 60402, (708) 795-0280

A charming emporium which stocks completely assembled dollhouses (either painted or unfinished) starting at $99.95 on up, miniature furniture and accessories, model trains and related paraphernalia, kits to make plastic models, rockets and kites, and even paint-by-number kits. This is not a huge shop but every inch has been stocked with fun-generating merchandise for boys and girls of all ages. The staff is friendly and the proprietor takes a personal interest in his customers and their satisfaction with the shopping experience at Hobby City. For more information and a fun virtual visit, go to www.bchobbycity.com

Tree Top Kids
36 East Hinsdale Avenue, Hinsdale, IL 60521-4116, (630) 323-2550

One of the best toy stores in this area used to be C. Foster Toys on North Boulevard here in Oak Park, where I bought Madame Alexander dolls for a favorite unofficial "niece" until the store closed their doors, leaving just the main C. Foster store in Hinsdale. Now Mr. Foster has called it quits and sold that store to Tree Top Kids, who have continued the tradition of selling things to thrill the hearts of children and the people who love them. Although this Hinsdale store is the one place on my list I haven't actually been to, it is said that there is still a great selection of toys which has been enhanced with a line of kids' clothes as well.

A Word Before Departing

Notably absent from my list is Toys R Us, a store which I personally dislike. I realize that they sell a lot of toys but success and profitability do not necessary connote true greatness. I feel that the crass and commercial "warehouse" atmosphere at Toys R Us, coupled with the weariness of the customers and seeming lack of interest on the part of the store's clerks and employees, tends to detract from the charm of a really great toy store. When it comes to the stuff that little dreams are made of, magical ambience should count for something even if it costs a little more.