Tim Bobosky | Photographer
At Eugene Toy and Hobby, a few relics remain from a previous age in the world of toys, such as Brio train set from the 1950s.
Retro
retail
BY MICHAEL A. BOOTH
DAILY EMERALD FREELANCE REPORTER
The trendy toys of past generations
become the targeted trinkets on this
year's Christmas wish-lists
Holiday shoppers looking to
find the perfect present for
their favorite advertising-be
sieged child should have no fear. It’s
time to revisit a place long forgotten
— childhood. This year, old is new.
The once-trendy toys of Christmas
past have become the cool retro toys
of Christmas present.
Eugene Toy and Hobby owner
Alan Agerter said nostalgia-buying is
good news for his business.
“We’ve always carried more tradi
tional toys like Slinky, Lincoln Logs
and Barbie,” he said.
Some easily recognizable old
friends — like Barbie, Spider-Man,
Cabbage Patch Kids and Ms. Pac-Man
— will once again be among the top
gift items this year, according to Toy
Wishes magazine and a survey of
more than 7,400 people, sponsored
by the National Retail Federation.
More than 20 percent of
survey respondents who are J
shopping for girls will be
picking up Barbie with or
without Ken and his posh
Corvette. Nearly 9 percent]
say Spider-Man is still the
go-to super hero for boys, al
though older boys still prefer
video games for their X-Box
or Playstation 2.
Teenage Mutant Ninja
Turtles, Care Bears, My Little
Pony and Strawberry Shortcake
have also returned to climb the
retail shelves, despite their
aged pedigree.
Agerter attributes the resurgence of
retro toys to both nostalgia and value.
“I think (adults)
can appreciate a solid
toy,” Agerter said.
“They know they’ll hold
up; plus it’s a chance to
relive a part of their
childhood.”
For consumers of any age, retro toys
can still be found. Pre-’80s retro toys
are also being re-released. At
www.playthingspast.com, nostalgists
can find everything from Mr. Potato
head to Etch A Sketch to an “I love
Grandma” Kewpie doll or set of Rock
'em Sock ‘em .
Robots that threaten to “Knock your
block off.”
Toy Wishes magazine’s top toys:
Nitro Battlerz: Re
mote-control cars
that zip around and
break up when they
crash.
Ms. Pac-Man TV
games: Retro Atari video
games Ms. Pac-Man and
Pole Position are back. This
time, the games are loaded
inside the joystick.
InteracTV: An interactive
DVD for preschoolers that
features TV shows like
“Blue’s Clues” or “SpongeBob
SquarePants.”
E-L-M-O: The Sesame Street
character sings along to the tune
of the Village People’s “YMCA,”
except he sings E-L ... You get the
picture.
Cabbage Patch Kids: The dolls
from the 80s, complete with
adoption papers.
Bella Dancerella: A ballet stu
dio that includes a video and
costume.
Barbie as Princess Anneliese
and Erika: Barbie sings along with
an animated DVD.
i Balloon Lagoon: A board game
{ where kids fish for letters and col
I lect balloons.
Tamagotchi Connection: A new
version of the virtual pet updated
with a wireless connection.
CHECKOUT MORE
http://www.historychannel.com
/exh i bits/ toys/ti mel i ne. htm I
Tim Bobosky | Photographer
0209651
WE DELIVER FASTER THAN
Santa Llaus
Let us do the shopping for you. We send flowers all over the world.
Also available: cards • balloons * fruit baskets • plush animals
Eugene’s Flower Home
The University Florist
610 East !3thAve. at Patterson • www.eugenesflowerhome.com • 485-3655
When you want to
describe Oregon to
friends A visitors . . . just
ctnn hpf
9IV|I llvl vi
December Special
Scenic Photography & Wall Decor Sale
1fi% off
Definitive Northwest Photography
by Ron Keebler • Over 200 Artists
NW Made Gifts
Lowest Framing
allery Prices >n Town!
199 E. 5th Next to Steelhead Brewery
FREE PARKING BEHIND STORE • 645-0045
BIRKENSTOCK Holiday Ease
FOOTWISE
THE BIRKENSTOCK STORE
181E Broadway • Downtown Eugene
Mon-Sat 10-6 & Sun 11-5 *342-6107
www.footwise.com
"Fresh Beer,
Brewed Here."
A campus tradition—over 100 years of publication.