Kay Jay's Doll Shoppe and Studio in Ocean City

It all began five generations ago, when Kay Jay Nichols' grandfather started a toy store. Then, her father had a doll shop in Center City Philadelphia. And today, Kay Jay's daughter and granddaughter are an integral part of Kay Jay's Doll Shoppe And Studio in Ocean City, New Jersey.

Kay Jay's is one of the most fascinating stores you'll ever experience. Whether you're young or old, dolls hold a special place in the life of every girl, and this store will bring back wonderful memories from childhood, while creating new memories for every little girl who walks through the door!

There are many facets to Kay Kay's Doll Shoppe And Studio. At their "design a dolly" hospital, you can literally design and build a doll from scratch. With the help from their resident Doll Doctors, you start by stuffing your doll. If you want, you can add a Sugar Starfish from the beach "for good luck". Next, select the head, from over 40 different faces and seven different eye colors, (making a seemingly endless combination of possibilities). Finally, choose the hair color and style you'd like your new doll to have. And, as unbelievable as it may sound, if the combination you're looking for isn't in stock, they can custom order exactly what you want.

But that's not all. The fun continues, as you decide how to dress your doll. There's a wall of clothes, (a complete doll clothing boutique, if you will), displaying over 200 different styles of shoes and 450 outfits. Incredible!

Of course, Kay Jay's also has ready-made dolls, and there's a huge clothing line designed to fit the popular American Girl and Bitty Baby Dolls.

Doll signings are also done several times a year, with limited edition dolls made exclusively for Kay Jay's by Mary Hoyer, daughter of the well-known doll maker who had a shop on the Ocean City Boardwalk in the 1940's.

Naturally, doll owners need accessories, and Kay Jay's Doll Shoppe is loaded with costumes, robes, p.j.s, sunglasses, fur coats, jewelry, purses, boots, sandals, sneakers, evening wear, socks, bathing suits, hair bands, tights, raincoats, umbrellas, beach chairs, trunks, hangers, bunk beds, coaches, swings, cradles, round canopy cribs and even a high chair that folds into a table. Let your imagination run wild!

Want to make the next birthday for the little girl in your life a magical one? Hold her birthday party at Kay Jay's, and let each guest design their own doll!

But how can a little girl know which doll is the one for her? "You have to touch a doll to know if it's right for you," Kay Jay told The Bright Side. "So, we keep all of the play dolls down low on shelves so children can hold them."

Kay Jay's is also your source for collectible dolls and doll house furniture. They're conveniently located at 737 Asbury Avenue, Ocean City, New Jersey and are open seven days a week from spring through Christmas. After that, they have winter hours, and are open Thursdays through Sundays. Call 609-399-5632 or visit their Web site at www.kayjaysdollshoppe.com.