Toy Space

Profile

A former film producer who wanted more time with her kids, Slope mom Louise Simon opened Toy Space in August of 2005. The packed but well-kept store is a cross between high-end specialty shop and old-school emporium. Beneath its pressed-tin ceiling, classic wooden blocks by Haba and retro items like disappearing ink mingle with popular favorites like puzzle balls and Ugly Dolls plush toys. Many of the toys have a cool science spin: The remote-controlled Morphibian vehicles travel on both land and water, and the sculptable Moon Sand never dries out. The store is divided into sections (outdoor, music, bath, etc.) and organized by age (from toddler to 12 and up) for easy shopping. A bookshelf holds everything from coloring books to diaries, and the art area takes kids from finger paints to watercolors to a Buddha Board—a reusable tablet they can draw on with water. — Caroline Kinneberg