#DTA2019 Showcase: BEST TOY STORE (Fan/Public Voted)
BEST TOY STORE (Fan/Public Voted) category in the 2019 Designer Toy Awards "honors a brick-and-mortar (physical store) retailer that specializes in Designer Toys and has distinguished itself with outstanding activity last year. Nominees will be judged on knowledgeability, the range and selection of products offered, the overall store appearance and presentation, and any special events and/or shows the location hosted." (Vote Online Here / Voting Ends May 16th).
Besides being a physical retail store (in Glendale, California, USA), 3D RETRO also has a online retail @ www.3dretro.com. 3D Retro is also a Finalist in the “Best Online Store” (Public Voted) category, and they are utilising social media "right" with currently offering up a "discount code" for folks who have voted for them! Check out the captions in the IG-image above for deets.
Found in 2003, 3D Retro as well produces collectible toys directly with artists/designers (FEATURES #onTOYSREVIL), and as well owner Ben Goretsky is currently the owner & organiser of the annual DesignerCon, AND is executive Producer and one of the hosts for "Toy Geeks: Behind the Counter" (for The Toy Geeks Network).
LIFT is a Detroit, Michigan, USA-based store (Opened in April 2006) and art gallery, and has a online retail @ www.liftdetroit.com.
Philadelphia, USA-based MOTHERSHIP TOY GALLERY (Where) = online retailer / toy-producer Martian Toys, and also is host to a slew of themed custom shows/exhibitions organised by themselves throughout the year, and is exceedingly actively in the designer toy scene.
martiantoys.com is also a DTA-Finalist for the "Best Online Toy Store" (Public Voted) category.
MYPLASTICHEART is a Designer Toy Store and Gallery based in New York City, USA, and has seen a slew of exhibitions as well thru the years, since being established in early 2004 by Vincent Yu.
MPH @ www.myplasticheart.com is also a DTA-Finalist for "Best Online Toy Store" (Public Voted) category.
OZZO COLLECTION (www) at Havelock2 Mall, Singapore, is the ONLY store I have physically engaged with, and purchased (profusely) from, since its inception in 2000. Ozzo is one of THE stores I will recommend ANYONE, to visit for designer toys, when they are in Singapore. Co-owner @mikeozzo ONLY does walk-in purchases, with zero online retail!
CLICK HERE for coverage of Ozzo on TOYSREVIL!
Since established in July of 2004, ROTOFUGI is a Designer Toy Store & Gallery (who has and is still hosting multiple shows throughout the year), from their Chicago, USA locale. As well Rotofugi @ rotofugi.com is a DTA-Finalist for "Best Online Toy Store" (Public Voted) category. One of the only few online venues I have purchased from, many years ago too, from the very gracious owners Kirby & (the late) Whitney Kerr.
As well, Rotofugi has produced collectibles toys with select artists/designers, in partnership with Squibbles Ink - Click Here to view features on TOYSREVIL.
Based out of Tampa, Florida, USA, STRANGECAT TOYS has the distinction of being the sole "mobile" designer toy store, and as well set up at local conventions throughout FL. You are recommended to stay connected to their Instagram an/or Facebook for updates!
Established in 2015, Strangecat Toys is owned and maintained by Cory Rutter & his wife, with strangecattoys.com also being a DTA-Finalist in the "Best Online Toy Store" (Public Voted) category.
Besides retail, Strangecat Toys also produces collectible toys and organises group custom shows. Click Here for coverage on TOYSREVIL.
Founded in 2000, TOY TOKYO @ www.toytokyo.com is a New York, USA-based retail store (Where), who also offers vintage collectible toys and Japanese import toys, beyond their "designer art toys". Owner Israel "Lev" Levarek is also a personality in the scene, who has his own documentaries about him!
WOOT BEAR is a San Francisco, USA-based Art Gallery and Retail Space, and has hosted a consistent number of art and customs shows (as FEATURED on TOYSREVIL). wootbear.com is as well a DTA-Finalist this year for "Best Online Toy Store" (Public Voted).
Color me "old fashioned", but nothing really beats a physical space where you can peruse your toys - even back in my youth many moons ago, thumbing thru comicbooks (yes, I can wax lyrical nostalgia eternal MUAHAHAHAHAAAAAA), and subsequently touching+holding an actual collectible - even if it's in its packaging box (LOL) - would make a difference in my decisions to purchase said toys.
Sure the online auction "sniping", and "Adding to Cart" is addictive (where do you think the moniker "TOYS R EVIL" came from? :p), but nothing really beats a "hands-on" approach. Out of the entire list here, I have only visited one store, and maybe one day I'll get to go on a road-trip around the world, to visit toy stores :)
Cheers
Andy TOYSREVIL
