Neighborhood Toy Store Day Is This Saturday

Source: ASTRA/The Toy Book

This Saturday, independent toy stores across the country will officially kick off the holiday shopping season during the American Specialty Toy Retailing Association’s (ASTRA) Neighborhood Toy Store Day.

It’s no secret that this year is a little bit different, but thousands of independent retailers are ready to celebrate and serve their communities by helping families to choose the perfect gifts for every kid. Families are encouraged to shop local during this season as independent toy stores open their doors to offer special deals, in-store events, and curated selections of great toys and games that range from mainstream items to some stellar picks from smaller companies that aren’t yet household names.

Visit the ASTRA website to find a participating neighborhood toy store near you. And, for a list of helpful tips for shopping during the pandemic, check out our sister publication the Toy Insider. Families can also consult the Toy Insider‘s 15th Annual Holiday Gift Guide for a list of hot holiday toys to look out for while shopping on Neighborhood Toy Store Day!

About the author

James Zahn

James Zahn, AKA The Rock Father, is Editor-in-Chief of The Toy Book, a Senior Editor at The Toy Insider and The Pop Insider, and Editor of The Toy Report, The Toy Book‘s weekly industry newsletter. As a pop culture and toy industry expert, Zahn has appeared as a panelist and guest at events including Comic-Con International: San Diego (SDCC) Wizard World Chicago, and the ASTRA Marketplace & Academy. Zahn has more than 30 years of experience in the entertainment, retail, and publishing industries, and is frequently called upon to offer expert commentary for publications such as Forbes, Marketwatch, the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, USA Today, Reuters, the Washington Post, and more. James has appeared on History Channel’s Modern Marvels, was interviewed by Larry King and Anderson Cooper, and has been seen on Yahoo! Finance, CNN, CNBC, FOX Business, NBC, ABC, CBS, WGN, The CW, and more. Zahn joined the Adventure Media & Events family in 2016, initially serving as a member of the Parent Advisory Board after penning articles for the Netflix Stream Team, Fandango Family, PBS KIDS, Sprout Parents (now Universal Kids), PopSugar, and Chicago Parent. He eventually joined the company full time as a Senior Editor and moved up the ranks to Deputy Editor and Editor-in-Chief.