It’s Time for Neighborhood Toy Store Day

It’s time to get ready for

Neighborhood Toy Store Day!

By Theresa Duncan, Villa Villekulla Toy Store

It’s the greatest day of the year, but also the sneakiest! For specialty toy stores, Neighborhood Toy Store Day kicks off the holiday season and, although it is always the second Saturday in November, it can seem to get earlier each year.

As we learned through the ingenuity of many stores last year, even if you host a virtual event, Neighborhood Toy Store Day is a fun way for local toy stores to showcase their unique personalities and to celebrate the communities that support them.

Are you reading this and still haven’t planned your 2021 Neighborhood Toy Store Day event? Don’t worry, there are a few tried and true things you can do to prepare for a successful day, even with a short timeline.

Do Now:

• Decide if you will have an in-person event, a virtual event, or plan for both. • Order any giveaways or raffle items. Check ASTRA for resources. • Decide what, if any, discounts you will run. Make sure you have enough stock.

3 weeks out:

• Download graphics and resources from ASTRA. • Plan all print, paid and free marketing. • List the event on all local events calendars. • Decide how you will handle raffles and giveaways, and secure any items you may need. • Choose a non-profit partner. • Have any necessary signage designed and printed.

November 13, 2021

2 weeks before:

• Determine staffing needs and plan schedules. • Take inventory of play day kits, giveaways and raffle items, and follow up on any items that haven’t been received. • Build buzz in your community, and double down on your marketing plan.

The Week Of:

• Put together any giveaway items. • Ensure staff is trained on all specials, discounts, featured products and giveaways. • Double check your schedule and staffing. • Give your store a thorough clean, rearrange and build displays as needed. • Put any holiday merchandise on display.

The Day Of:

• Stock up on lots of water and healthy snacks for you and your staff. • Brief staff on the day’s events, and give staff members specific roles • Most importantly, have fun!

Just like every store is different, every Neighborhood Toy Store Day is different, too. But, the spirit of the day remains the same.

“Neighborhood Toy Store Day for us is a day to show our appreciation to our customers, and not the other day around,” said Scott Friedland of Timeless Toys in Chicago. ASTRA