Earlier today, I found myself in front of an old favorite haunt, FAO Schwartz, in search of a baby present for a favorite client's first grandchild. So I went inside and began my exploration.
My needs were simple. I was looking for something nice, cuddly and made someplace other than China. Now Schwarz is not K-Mart, where you expect to find low budget Chinese imports. This is a high end toy store where a doll house sells for the equivalent of about a month's mortgage payment on a starter home.
Just inside the front door, I found some fabulous stuffed toys. They are famous for almost life-sized polar bears, unicorns, and the most adorable bunny rabbits I've ever seen!
The bunnies were a definite possibility. I mean, look at these guys! They raise adorable to an art form! But they had these little tags that showed, oops! Chinese bunnies!
I almost relented. And as I write this and look at the picture, forget about the new baby! I want some of these guys for myself!
So, next I checked out Raggedy Ann dolls. Her name is Anya, and it seemed like a good idea. And this American classic is now, yes, made in China.
So what to do? Maybe seek out a certified previously owned bunny or Raggedy Ann? I could head for a consignment shop in Takoma Park and find something there.
Or maybe I'm being silly.
I shoulda got a freakin bunny!
Sorry, Anya. I'll make it up to you!
I would spend a fortune in there :-)
Loved the photo of Raggedy Ann. I still have mine!
The best way to go to FAO is without a child in tow :) I could spend lots of money there!
I can't believe you got in and out taking pictures in there... .most retail stores tend to stop that right away. But so glad you did cause those bunnies are so cute! And you left with nothing for Anya? (love the name) That would be me.
I was a FAO catalog baby....spoiled by the grandparents!
You know, the antique store is a great place to find handmade and classic toys....there's a good one in the Silver Spring area I recently discovered...I'll go hunt for the business card and when I find it, I'll email you the name!
All the best,
Audrey
www.simplystage.com
Jeff, it's getting really difficult to avoid buying things from China, even in the better stores.
Eric
Katerina, I was in one of the priciest toy stores in the world, and it was still full of cheap stuff from China.
And Kris, you should save yours because they are not nearly as well made as they were when we got our Raggedy Anns.
Brian, you're lucky! I didn't discover FAO Schwartz until I moved to New York in my late teens.
Kim, if I'd brought my favorite kid with me, he'd have gone bonkers in the Lego section. Check this out!
Patricia - I have to agree, I would NOT have purchased anything 'made in China' - there are too many things going on there that I do NOT want to support that economy -
As far as the LEGO goes, both of my kids had it and my son was in high school and still building with his LEGO - he had me save it all in enormous Rubbermaid bins for him to pass on to his children one day -
We even were in LEGOland in Denmark - fantastic place!!!!