Before the 24-hour carols, the jammed parking lots, and those news stories about people fighting over the latest Elmo toy, there is Neighborhood Toy Store Day today, November 12. This is one that hits near and dear to our indie-loving hearts, as a great opportunity to support your local independent retailers while getting a head start on holiday shopping.


Whether you live near such CMP toy shop favorites as Giggle (save 20% with code FF11)
Magic
Beans (10% off all toys all weekend, even online), Psychobaby, Acorn Toy Shop,
Cheeky Monkey, Area
Kids, Mini Jake or have your own favorite
local toy store, plan to take a few minutes to check out what cool new
things it has in stock. Many stores are having special discounts,
entertainment and crafts for the kids, and many will even gift wrap your
items before you leave, bless their hearts.

The chances are
you’ll leave with a few great toys more than a month before the
holidays. The chances are are also strong that you will not get rammed
by a metal shopping
cart while you’re there. –Christina

Check out the
American Specialty Toy Retailer Association’s Neighborhood
Toy Store Day website for a list of participating stores and for
more information.

Do you have a favorite neighborhood toy store?
Feel free to leave its name in the comments!