Best Toy Stores In Pittsburgh
SW Randall Toys & Gifts
630 Smithfield St., Downtown: 412-562-9252
806 Ivy St., Shadyside: 412-687-2666
5856 Forbes Ave., Squirrel Hill: 412-422-7009
www.swrandalltoys.com
With three Pittsburgh locations and an online store, you are sure to find the perfect toy for any age at SW Randall. KDKA staffers say SW Randall is "what an old-fashioned toy store should be." The stores website says they are Pittsburgh's largest specialty toy and gift store with over 20,000 items in stock. From dinosaurs to dolls, there seems to be something for everyone. "You'll find a UNIQUE selection of toys – things you'd never find anywhere else," said another staff member. SW Randall also says they chose their products for their safety, quality, and play value, so items purchased here are sure to bring years of enjoyment. They were named in Pittsburgh Magazine's 2008 Best of Pittsburgh list.
Groovy! Pop Culture Emporium
1304 E. Carson St.
Pgh, PA 15203
412-381-8010
Open since 1993, Groovy! Pop Culture Emporium on the South Side, is like taking a step back in time. The purple storefront draws customers in from the hustle and bustle of East Carson Street. Once inside be prepared for sensory overload, as toys from the 1950's through the 1990's cover every visible space. This resale shop specializes in retro toys and collectables and is the perfect place to find a quirky gift, whether it be lunchboxes from the '70's, Pez dispensers, or action figures. One KDKA staffer had this to say about the store: "All the toys you grew up with – now at slightly higher prices for your kids! It's great. I got a Six Million Dollar Man doll for [my son]!"
Learning Express
The Galleria of Mt. Lebanon
1500 Washington Road
Pgh, PA 15228
412-341-8697
www.mtlebanon.learningexpress-toys.com
While Learning Express is a chain, with 135 stores nationwide, their location inside the Galleria of Mt. Lebanon is unique enough to make you feel like you are shopping at a boutique. Learning Express specializes in finding toys with what they call "play value" and calls themselves "Your neighborhood toy store." The stores employees want to know you by name and will go the extra mile to help you find the perfect toy that your child will play with for hours on end. If the bright colors don't draw you inside, the children meeting for play dates will surely get you attention. The toys you find inside aren't just for fun either, they encourage educational development, curiosity, and creativity.
Playthings, Etc.
2483 William Flynn Hwy.
Butler, PA
724-285-7529
www.playthings-etc.com
Playthings, Etc in Butler isn't just amazing inside, its also cool to look at from the outside. The store is shaped like a silver spaceship and was designed with fun in mind. Pittsburgh Magazine rated Playthings, Etc. their best "Out-of-this-world" Toy store in their Best of the 'Burgh 2010 list. There are many interactive elements, including a 9-foot high oval star window. Don't think you have seen it all after one visit, they store says they get something new every week.
