What's going on with Tree Top Toys?

[Anonymous]

Ever since tree top toys moved (in Arlington) where kinder hause toys(sp?) used to be, the toxic odor there is always too much for me. In the beginning I'd always ask about it.
Never got a call back from any manager, or God forbid the owner. We just finally stopped going there. The McLean location used to have a senior level older lady working there who was always SO helpful. I LOVED her. Now there's just a bunch of kids working there who are not able to give much real service. Now we pretty much have to order high quality toys (usually made in USA or Germany, not China) from mail order companies. I find them in Mothering magazine (found at Whole Foods, usually -just ask).

[Anonymous]

I overheard a sales person in the McLean store say that they moved a lot of their inventory online - they just couldn't carry that much in the stores, but have the ability order anything.

I was disappointed, too, the last time I went in. They used to have really unique toys, now it's just kind of boring.

[Anonymous]

Take returns back to Target or regift? That's crappy advice and not fair to Target, why should they take your inventory back? If they even sell the stuff you carry you need a receipt to take stuff back to Target.

[Anonymous]

The Tree Top Kids in Fairfax (Fairfax Corner) closed down suddenly a few weeks (maybe 1.5 mos.?) ago. Very sad. Their toys were a little on the pricey side but worth it. Plus, the people were nice and they had great events for kids.

[Anonymous]

TRee Top Toys in Chevy Chase Pavillion is CLOSED. Kaput.

[Anonymous]

Its Tree Top Kids

[Anonymous]

I stopped going to the Tree Top at the Wildwood location last year after their callous attitude toward my son, who is disabled. He was in a medical stroller and could not walk at the time, so we could not get to the restroom because they had a special craft project going on, attended by one little girl. I asked them to move the craft table so I could wheel my son to the restroom, and they said, "where? out in the rain? that's the only place it fits." And they looked at me with these blank stares. So I said but he's disabled and we can't get to the restroom! More blank stares. I had to lift my 40-pound child, now desperately needing to use the toilet, up over the craft table, up over the little girl doing crafts, nearly hitting her head with his feet because I could only lift him so high. It was humiliating for him, humiliating for me, and totally unnecessary. I told them I would take my business to a toy store that was more friendly to children with disabilities, and all I got was more blank stares.

The staff at Child's Play in Rockville on the other hand not only knows my son by name and greets him and says goodbye every time he comes, even when we just come to play and don't need to buy anything, but they also point out toys they think would be developmentally helpful for him. The staff there LOVES their work, loves toys, loves children, and has a great sense of humor. They are also very knowledgeable about their stock.

Tree Top deserves to go out of business. I've also visited their Potomac location, and got scolded because my son had lined up some boxes of Thomas items in a row on the floor next to the shelves. The staff person said "THOSE CAN'T STAY THERE! They-need-to-go-back-on-the-shelf-now!" They weren't in anyone's way and were causing no problem. So I said to her "He's sort of a lining-things-up kind of kid, and it calms him down to see the pictures of the trains all in a row. I could put them back now, but he'd just want to line them up again. Or we could leave them there for a few minutes and I could put them back when we leave." So she said, "Oh, all right." With a face. And stomped off.

So, I am not sad about this closing, and I encourage people to take their business to Child's Play in Rockville.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I stopped going to the Tree Top at the Wildwood location last year after their callous attitude toward my son, who is disabled. He was in a medical stroller and could not walk at the time, so we could not get to the restroom because they had a special craft project going on, attended by one little girl. I asked them to move the craft table so I could wheel my son to the restroom, and they said, "where? out in the rain? that's the only place it fits." And they looked at me with these blank stares. So I said but he's disabled and we can't get to the restroom! More blank stares. I had to lift my 40-pound child, now desperately needing to use the toilet, up over the craft table, up over the little girl doing crafts, nearly hitting her head with his feet because I could only lift him so high. It was humiliating for him, humiliating for me, and totally unnecessary. I told them I would take my business to a toy store that was more friendly to children with disabilities, and all I got was more blank stares.
The staff at Child's Play in Rockville on the other hand not only knows my son by name and greets him and says goodbye every time he comes, even when we just come to play and don't need to buy anything, but they also point out toys they think would be developmentally helpful for him. The staff there LOVES their work, loves toys, loves children, and has a great sense of humor. They are also very knowledgeable about their stock.

Tree Top deserves to go out of business. I've also visited their Potomac location, and got scolded because my son had lined up some boxes of Thomas items in a row on the floor next to the shelves. The staff person said "THOSE CAN'T STAY THERE! They-need-to-go-back-on-the-shelf-now!" They weren't in anyone's way and were causing no problem. So I said to her "He's sort of a lining-things-up kind of kid, and it calms him down to see the pictures of the trains all in a row. I could put them back now, but he'd just want to line them up again. Or we could leave them there for a few minutes and I could put them back when we leave." So she said, "Oh, all right." With a face. And stomped off.

So, I am not sad about this closing, and I encourage people to take their business to Child's Play in Rockville.

This is just AWFUL and heartbreaking! As a mom of a little boy, I would be steaming, on fire, and livid. The mere thought is so maddening!

[Anonymous]

With all due respect to the mom who posted about her horrible treatment at a TTK, I just wanted to say that the one in Wesley Heights is a great store. I like the toy selection at Child's Play in Chevy Chase better, and TTK has a worthless art section (both Sullivan's and Child's Play beat it) BUT the woman who runs the kids book section at TTK is *amazing*. Young, kind of alternative looking woman with blond hair? Genius. I totally love her. She really loves her job, reads all the new books as they come in, and has helped me with recs for all different ages of kids. Now, I don't love their super spendy clothing section but I will be really sad if the toy store closes. We need more options not fewer. Best of luck to them hanging in there!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Take returns back to Target or regift? That's crappy advice and not fair to Target, why should they take your inventory back? If they even sell the stuff you carry you need a receipt to take stuff back to Target.

I find this a shocking and inappropriate suggestion as well. Why on earth would someone return something to Target that was purchased at TTT. If the concern is that things being purchased at Target are being returned to TTT, perhaps they should put a sticker on items purchsed at TTT and only accept for return items with that sticker (or issue gift receipts and require them for return). We are all supposed to scam Target because TTT has a bad business plan? Sure, that seems ethical.

[Anonymous]

I will never go never a TTT again. Let them all close.
We could REALLY use some nice toy stores for a change.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:With all due respect to the mom who posted about her horrible treatment at a TTK, I just wanted to say that the one in Wesley Heights is a great store. I like the toy selection at Child's Play in Chevy Chase better, and TTK has a worthless art section (both Sullivan's and Child's Play beat it) BUT the woman who runs the kids book section at TTK is *amazing*. Young, kind of alternative looking woman with blond hair? Genius. I totally love her. She really loves her job, reads all the new books as they come in, and has helped me with recs for all different ages of kids. Now, I don't love their super spendy clothing section but I will be really sad if the toy store closes. We need more options not fewer. Best of luck to them hanging in there!

Yes, I've had great experiences there too. I hope they manage to stay in business. We need them in our neighborhood. I don't really like Sullivans, and that just leaves Tugooh, the world's most overpriced toy store.

[Anonymous]

It sucks to see businesses going under, but I have to agree with those who have been underwhelmed by TTK. My last experience there (at the now defunct Chevy Chase location) was amusing: I was looking for a Light Bright for my son and stopped in to see if TTK had them in stock. The saleslady said, "No, we only stock high-end toys." Seriously, this was her answer.

It reinforced to me why we normally shop at Child's Play in CC -- they stock whatever kids enjoy, and the people who work there could not be more enthusiastic and helpful.

On a side note, I'd be shocked if Tugooh is in business much longer. The last couple of visits I've made to the Bethesda store have found it empty -- of toys (nearly) and customers. Haven't been to the Gtown location recently.

[Anonymous]

The location in McLean is Leaving too

[Anonymous]

The Cabin John location has gone back to the Toys Etc owner (with a different name I can't recall). It is HUGELY improved..give it another try if it had been off your list.