OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL • TOY STORY • THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2019 • PAGE 34
Santa’s Gurus on the Ground
The holiday season is filled with traditions, and the Over the Mountain Journal has one of its own: checking in with neighborhood toy gurus to find out what’s new this year. Our friends at Homewood Toy and Hobby, Smith’s Variety and Snoozy’s Kids have shared suggestions for toys and fun stuff for all ages. Please bear in mind that toy selections and prices may vary from store to store. Journal photos by Ingrid Schnader
Homewood Toy & Hobby owner Tricia McCain likes creative toys like the Pix Perfect Starter Pixel Art Kit, $34.99.
Smilth’s Variety owner Jim Glazner with two can’t miss suggestions, D-Dart Tempest Gun and AirFort.
Snoozy’s Kids owner George Jones with one of this year’s hottest toys, Hearthsong’s Steam-Breathing Dragon.
TRICA MCCAIN Homewood Toy & Hobby
JIM GLAZNER Smith’s Variety
GEORGE JONES Snoozy’s Kids
OTMJ: Do you remember your first day working in the toy Biz? Tricia McCain: “I’ve been coming in here since I was four. I really did come to work with my parents and sat upstairs above the bike shop and colored. I’ve been doing it forever.” OTMJ: If you were an elf working in Santa’s workshop, what would your job be? TM: “I would be the cookie taster, or the anyHOMEWOOD TOY & thing chocolate taster. Either one!” HOBBY is at 2830 18th St. S. in downtown Homewood. OTMJ: What is a toy For more information, that has stood the test of call 205-879-3986 or visit time? homewoodtoy-hobby.com or TM: “I think of baby the store’s Facebook page. dolls, in general. At some point between the ages one and five, every girl gets a baby doll.” OTMJ: If your younger self time-traveled to 2019, what would be the first toy on your list? TM: “I’ve always liked to swing, so maybe the Sky Dreamcatcher. I mean, I still love to swing. I’ll go to the park right now.”
OTMJ: Do you remember your first day working in the toy Biz? Jim Glazner: 1976. It was back-to-school, so you had all the kids coming in. OTMJ: If you were an elf in Santa’s workshop, what would your job be? JG: I’d probably organize everything. OTMJ: What is a toy that has stood the test of time? JG: Hot Wheels and Barbie. Trucks never go SMITH’S VARIETY is at away. OTMJ: If your younger 45 Church St. in Mountain Brook’s Crestline Village. For self time-traveled to 2019, more information, call 205what toy would be on your 871-0841 or visit the store’s Christmas shopping list? Facebook page. JG: The animal bluetooth speakers.
OTMJ: Do you remember your first day working in the toy Biz? George Jones: “We opened in 1988, primarily as a children’s bookstore with only a small section of toys. It was very exciting, as we were already in the book business but were so happy to have a store in our neighborhood. We soon learned that, although our customers loved books, they were really craving toys!” OTMJ: If you were an elf working in Santa’s SNOOZY’S KIDS is at workshop, what would 228 Country Club Park in your job be? Mountain Brook’s Crestline GJ: “If I were working Village. For more information, in Santa’s workshop I call 205-871-2662 or visit the would like to be in charge store’s Facebook page. of product development. I can’t wait to go to our markets each year and see all the new and innovative toys.” OTMJ: What is a toy that has stood the test of time? GJ: Toys that continue to keep on giving include Lego, Barbie, Hot Wheels, Nerf products and any movie-related items. OTMJ: If your younger self time-traveled to 2019, what would be the first toy on your list? GJ: “My Christmas list would include the Glowstriker, the Steam-Breathing Dragon, the Tumbling Hedgehog kit, and I would really, really want the Nerf Blaster Scooter!”
Top Toys
We asked McCain and store manager Julie Marix to give us their top toys for the holiday season: The b4 Adventure Sky Dreamcatcher swing, $129.99, is a gift for the entire family. “It can hold up to 500lbs, so really multiple kids or even adults can get on it,” Marix said. Though marketed for ages 4 and up, she noted that a blanket can be thrown over the base for younger kids so their legs and arms don’t fall through the net. Inspired by the popular Netflix series Stranger Things, Dungeons and Dragons has released a starter set, $28.99, which includes a new adventure called “The Hunt for Thessalhydra.” “This is See HOMEWOOD TOY & HOBBY, page 36
Top Toys
We asked Glazner and Steve Sudduth, toy department manager at Smith’s, to give us their top toys for the holiday season: Pet Care Centers, $29.99, are fun, educational gifts for animal lovers. “There are several different kinds of pet care centers, even horse care centers,” Sudduth said. “They’re wonderful teaching tools.” Knuckle Headz, $24.99, reminds Sudduth of the toys he had when he was a kid. “You run them into each other,” he said. “And when they hit each other, the heads pop off. Every kid loves these.” Circuit Blox come in multiple sizes and prices. “These are a take on the old Radio Shack electronic toys,” Sudduth said. “It’s an easier way to build things.” Depending on which kit you buy, your child could build an FM radio, nerve tester, flying saucer and more. How to Be a Great Sibling, $29.99, is ideal for an only
See SMITH’S VARIETY, page 35
Top Toys
The hottest toy of the season, Jones said, is the Owleez, $54.99. “We’ve already seen them selling on eBay,” he said. These interactive baby owls are the most recent take on the classic Furby-style robot. They respond to touch and movement, their eyes change colors with their mood and, best of all, they can fly. At the time of publication, Snoozy’s only had a few left in stock. Bringing a dose of educa-
See SNOOZY’S KIDS page 36