What's going on with Tree Top Toys?

[Anonymous]

Looks like Sullivan's Toy Store On Wisconsin is also slated to close -- within months. The developer of that parcel has decided to replace the independent businesses with higher end chain stores. That leaves just Child's Play for independent toy stores in the city.

[Anonymous]

Honestly, I don't see why people are all that gung ho on indepedant toy shops. Really??? You all need someone to suggest toys for you? There is enough on line resources these days to do that and your own child should lead the way. For gifts even, it doesn't take much to figure out.

In my experience, the independant toy shops sell the high end toys that my child tends to play with sporadically and they price them higher than I can find on line. I haven't run into any added bonus of using these stores and most seem to not want your child to be in the store with you to avoid touching, taking things from the shelf, etc.

I think the time and place for these shops have passed now that the Internet provides easy access to boutique kids items. It might be fun to drop and visit these stores once in a while but for day to day shopping, I don't seem them as a need for enough to people in this area for them to remain.

[Anonymous]

I hope the owner of Child's Play on Rockville Pike reads this.

I used to spend hundreds of dollars every year in your store. Then you -- yes you, the middle aged man who owns the store -- treated me like trash in your effort to help an imperious old matron who was ordering you around. You actually interrupted my transaction and left the register to show her some suggested toys, leaving me standing there like an idiot. I complained to you in an email on your website -- you never responded.

So I won't be going to your store anymore. I might not be the only one, either.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Honestly, I don't see why people are all that gung ho on indepedant toy shops. Really??? You all need someone to suggest toys for you? There is enough on line resources these days to do that and your own child should lead the way. For gifts even, it doesn't take much to figure out.

In my experience, the independant toy shops sell the high end toys that my child tends to play with sporadically and they price them higher than I can find on line. I haven't run into any added bonus of using these stores and most seem to not want your child to be in the store with you to avoid touching, taking things from the shelf, etc.

I think the time and place for these shops have passed now that the Internet provides easy access to boutique kids items. It might be fun to drop and visit these stores once in a while but for day to day shopping, I don't seem them as a need for enough to people in this area for them to remain.

I don't get that feeling from Child's Play in DC at all. I strongly prefer it to driving to Rockville or Bailey's Crossroads to Toys R Us and I don't want to have to order bday gifts online. We often buy things like legos there, not sure what your child's toy preferences are. My little ones love to play with the train table, the marble run and the baby dolls, and are encouraged to do so. I find the suggestions very helpful, esp when buying gifts for ages I'm not as familiar with. I'd rather be able to touch and see things and interact with people than order from Amazon, but everyone is different. Hope CP stays around for a while.

[Anonymous]

I really like Doodlehopper in Falls Church. It's not that far of a drive for you city folks. There's also Kinderhaus (?) in Arlington.

[Anonymous]

You can buy a toy on the internet (although many people, grandparents included) still don't use it. But you can't beat the experience of taking a child to an independent toy store or a book store with an interested and helpful staff. (Children spend too much time in front of a screen as it is.) The sad thing is, that the developers of the "Cathedral Commons" Town Center, slated for the two blocks between Macomb and Ordway along Wisconsin, plan to evict Sullivan's Toys, the barber and the tiny ballet studio for kids, and replace these stores with a Pottery Barn and similar establishments. This is a double surprise, because the developers originally promised the community that they would retain places like Sullivan's and offer them favorable rents as they "upscale" the area. Unfortunately Cathedral Commons and Stop & Shop have reneged on that promise. Frankly, if I'm going to buy something from a Pottery Barn, I can browse their catalogue or go on line. Now I'll have to get in my car to find a toy store, when I've been able to walk to one. The "mall-ization" of our neighborhoods, replacing independent businesses with generica, is sad. It diminishes, rather than enhances, pedestrian friendly, city neighborhoods. I wonder how Sullivan's can be saved.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Honestly, I don't see why people are all that gung ho on indepedant toy shops. Really??? You all need someone to suggest toys for you? There is enough on line resources these days to do that and your own child should lead the way. For gifts even, it doesn't take much to figure out.

In my experience, the independant toy shops sell the high end toys that my child tends to play with sporadically and they price them higher than I can find on line. I haven't run into any added bonus of using these stores and most seem to not want your child to be in the store with you to avoid touching, taking things from the shelf, etc.

I think the time and place for these shops have passed now that the Internet provides easy access to boutique kids items. It might be fun to drop and visit these stores once in a while but for day to day shopping, I don't seem them as a need for enough to people in this area for them to remain.

If you don't like them, don't shop there. I'm sure there are plenty of people who agree with you, but others of us do like to hear suggestions, particularly if it's for an age/gender child that we aren't as familiar with (if we're buying gifts). Plus, most of them seem to do wrapping, which is also nice. It's just a more pleasant experience for me, generally, than going to a Toys R Us.

[Anonymous]

I second the recommendation for Doodlehopper, but I go to the location on the Fairfax Co. Parkway at Huntsman Blvd. - near South Run Rec. Center. It's inside a mini-mall.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I hope the owner of Child's Play on Rockville Pike reads this.

I used to spend hundreds of dollars every year in your store. Then you -- yes you, the middle aged man who owns the store -- treated me like trash in your effort to help an imperious old matron who was ordering you around. You actually interrupted my transaction and left the register to show her some suggested toys, leaving me standing there like an idiot. I complained to you in an email on your website -- you never responded.

So I won't be going to your store anymore. I might not be the only one, either.

I have already read your story on another thread, and am sorry that you experienced this. We LOVE Child's Play on Rockville Pike, and have always found the gentleman you are talking about (did not know he was the owner) and the rest of the staff very friendly, helpful and reasonably knowledgeable ("reasonably" because I am a toy nut and probably know more about toys than all these people combined ). I have followed the book lady's recommendations with great success. For the past 3 years, I have seen the same people continue to work there. In late 2008, when the recession started taking its toll, the staff was worried because there were too few customers. But apparently they are struggling through, probably because they offer good service and hard-to-find European toys. We shop online too, but nothing beats touching/seeing what you buy, especially if you are a child!

[Anonymous]

you'll dumb...find a life

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: I wonder how Sullivan's can be saved.

I'm not sure it's doomed. Last time I was there one of the employees told me that a number of people have contacted them about possible locations. (Unfortunately, he said they were mostly a couple of miles away, which means we won't be able to walk there anymore...) And when the owner was quoted in an article in the NW Current about the new Giant plans, he seemed positive about the decision to do all the construction at once.

(Of course, just because he's okay with it, that doesn't mean I have to like it. I'm going to miss this store.)