S.W. Randall Toyes and Giftes explained

S.W. Randall Toyes & Giftes
Type:Toy store
Industry:Retail sales
Predecessors:-->
Successors:-->
Founded: in Squirrel Hill (Pittsburgh)
Founder:Jack Cohen
Hq Location City:Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Num Locations:3
Area Served:Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Products:Toys, Hobbies
Owner:Jack Cohen
Num Employees Year:25 (2019)

S.W. Randall Toyes and Giftes is a toy store which was established in 1970. It is a specialty toy and gift shop with headquarters located in downtown Pittsburgh, selling old-fashioned, idiosyncratic, and nostalgic toys, along with modern toys. The store has been a local landmark since 1970, and "is a Pittsburgh tradition". It is Pittsburgh's largest specialty toy store, and with a half century of service it is the city's oldest surviving toy business.[1]

History

Jack Cohen and his wife[2] founded the original store in 1970 in the Squirrel Hill neighborhood, when Jack was 23 years old and working as an ice cream truck driver. They named it after their children Sherry, Stacey, Wendy, and James (middle name Randall). As of 2019, the Cohens still work for the company and it remains a family-run business.[3] [4] Specializing in quirky products that "nobody else has", the store has earned Jack Cohen the sobriquet of "The Toy Keeper".

The stores have been a Pittsburgh landmark and tourist attraction since 1970,[5] and it sells classic toys.[3] [6]

As of 2019, there are three stores: Shadyside, Squirrel Hill, and Downtown Pittsburgh which is the flagship location.[7] There were seven stores at the apogee of the company's growth. The company is privately held but according to a 2009 report, the business stocked 30,000 different items, had revenues of $2.5 million and employed 28 people.[8] [9] The company is a member of the American Specialty Toy Retailing Association.[10]

During the 2011 filming of The Dark Knight Rises in Pittsburgh, the store received a boost in sales of older nostalgia Batman items; customers included Christopher Nolan, the film's director, who said he "loved the store".[11] The downtown shop is often a stop on "Haunted Pittsburgh" tours; the third floor reportedly hosts apparitions.

References

Bibliography

External links

Notes and References

  1. Book: Directory of Discount and General Merchandise Stores . 1654 . CSG Information Services . 1996 . 4 March 2020.
  2. Web site: History of Randall's Toyes and Giftes . Squirrel Hill Historical Society . Video. May 13, 2014 . JACK COHEN, Speaker . March 5, 2020.
  3. News: Parrish . Tory N. . S.W. Randall Toyes & Giftes of Pittsburgh's owner finds joy in toys . 4 March 2020 . Trib Total Media, LLC . 25 August 2015.
  4. Web site: You can always shop Downtown: S.W. Randall Toyes and Giftes. The Incline. 4 March 2020.
  5. Web site:
    1. EssentiallyPittsburgh: S.W. Randall Toyes and Giftes
    . . Bob Jr. . Batz. October 31, 2019 . March 7, 2020.
  6. News: Gannon . Joyce . His stores' shelves are packed with classics . . 10 December 2005. 4 March 2020.
  7. Web site: Pittsburgh's top 3 toy stores, ranked. Hoodline . 15 March 2019 . 4 March 2020.
  8. News: Schooley . Tim . SW Randall Toyes & Giftes finds success by listening to customers . 4 March 2020 . . 19 October 2009.
  9. News: Hudson . Kris . Byron . Ellen . Brat . Ilan . Kang . Stephanie . First Holiday Shopping Weekend Sets a Blistering Pace . . . 28 November 2005. 4 March 2020.
  10. Web site: ASTRA membership directory 2017 . June 27, 2018 . Fahy-Williams Publishing Co.. March 8, 2020.
  11. Web site: Pittsburgh businesses get major boost from Batman film . . Dan Majors . August 20, 2011 . March 8, 2020 . The store's new customers have included Christopher Nolan, the director of the film; his wife (and the film's producer), Emma Thomas; and their children. "He told me he was the director and that they loved the store", Mr. Cohen said. "They were here with four kids. They had to buy something.".

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