Hardware and Toy Shops What’s Tops in Toys

By Carimé Lane

Kendra Mayfield , gift buyer at Mayfield Ace Hardware in Covington, Ga., said the best-sellers in their 2,500-square-foot gift, card and toy section – of their 28,000-square-foot hardware store –are Legos and puzzles.

“They continue to have universal appeal, they can be enjoyed alone or with others, and they create a sense of pride and achievement when completed,” Mayfield said.

Simple toys such as their Legos and Lincoln Logs, Skytops, boomerangs, marbles, jacks, yoyos, Balsa Wood Airplanes, jump ropes, hula hoops, and plush that are creative and nostalgic are the foundation of their toy area, explained Mayfield. Most of their shoppers purchase the toys as gifts, and so, according to Mayfield, they “offer toys that are easy to understand, familiar, and often fondly remembered by the giver.”

Puzzles – both traditional and 3-D wooden – remain wildly popular at Mayfield Ace. They’re so popular that they have trouble keeping up with the demand for new designs, said Mayfield. She believes the pandemic was very impactful in reframing our thoughts on family activities.

“That forced time at home together created an environment for families to rethink how they could enjoy time together,” said Mayfield. “The norm had become rushing from one scheduled activity, like ball practice and dance class, to another. Suddenly, families were at home and turned to gardening, movies, games, and puzzles for recreation. They discovered that it was both relaxing and fun to play