Mego Retailers: Where Did You Buy Your Toys? [Archive]

imp

May 9, '08, 9:36 PM

These are just fantastic responses. I have added a ton of retailers I was missing. Thanks to everyone who has already posted.

Can those of you listed below (who already posted) please answer the following questions RE: some of the stores you mentioned?

1) What kind of store was it (department store, pharmacy, etc.)?

2) Where were they located?

3) Any personal and/or Mego memories about this store?

4) Do you have any images or ephemera (price stickers, catalogs, storefronts, etc.)?

MegoScott:
Gibsons and Toys By Roy

toys2cool:
McCrory's and Villa Clara

cfjefferys:
Zellers (also: is it exclusive to Candada?)

mitchedwards:
What do you remember about Murpheys 5 and dime? I understand they were also known as "G.C. Murphy"

starbuk:
Value Village, Models, Gee Lumber, Topps

spockfan74:
Grants City, J.M. Fields

Keep 'em coming, and thanks guys!

Benjamin

palitoy

May 9, '08, 9:49 PM

Woolco- Department Store- Whitby, ON- I was babysat in my grandparents store next to Woolco most Saturdays while my parents worked. My sister and I would just wander the toy department for hours, she claimed to see a Tarzan and described it to a t, i never did. I have several items with Woolco Price Tags.

Pinnochio's Toys- CDN Chain- Midtown Mall, Oshawa, ON- My dad's friend Hans ran this chain, they would go to toyfair together. He had an amazing assortment of mego, OZ, Heroes, Legends, Robin Hood, Apes, I saw them all there. I got my super softie Spider-Man there in 1975. Hans gave me the lead that got me to the warehouse find in the 80's.

Dominion PlayWord- CDN Mall Chain- Oshawa Center/Scarborough Town Center- This is the place I chickened out on a Supergirl, where I got my Star Trek crew, where I stupidly chose Donny Osmond over Human Torch and where I bought my last childhood Mego, a Myx. The stores were revoltingly orange, I miss them.

Shoppers Drug Mart-Pharmacy chain- Whitby ON- Got all my Comic Action Heroes here, still have WW play set with their sticker on it.

Eatons- Department Store- Oshawa Center- I don't know how many Mego I got from here, but i remember a Talos hung on their shelves for years.

Hudsons Bay- Department Store Chain- Oshawa Center- When they opened in 1978, the had a display box of original WGSH in their boxes, I wept. (no fooling, I cried and took home an Iron man)

imp

May 9, '08, 10:02 PM

Brian, WOW. What a great post.

You've just taken my project in a brand new direction. Thank you!

PLEASE send me scans/pics of the price tags you mentioned. Close-ups of the sticker is fine, but please be sure to let me know what toy the sticker is affixed to.

Can't wait to see them!

-b

cjefferys

May 9, '08, 10:47 PM

.

Can those of you listed below (who already posted) please answer the following questions RE: some of the stores you mentioned?

1) What kind of store was it (department store, pharmacy, etc.)?

2) Where were they located?

3) Any personal and/or Mego memories about this store?

4) Do you have any images or ephemera (price stickers, catalogs, storefronts, etc.)?

cfjefferys:
Zellers (also: is it exclusive to Canada?)

Zellers is a department store that has locations across Canada (but less than they used to due to Walmart, and I wouldn't be surprised if they eventually go out of business). They are exclusive to Canada, and currently owned by the Hudson's Bay Company, but I don't think that was the case when I was a kid. I bought Megos at 2 of their locations, one in Niagara Falls, ON (that specific store is now closed) and one in Fort Erie, ON (still open, but struggling).

It was at the Niagara Falls Zellers where I first saw Megos, and where my mother bought my very first one (RC Batman). That was also the store where I first saw the KISS dolls. It was at the Fort Erie Zellers where I first saw the Star Trek figures (I bought a Kirk), the Robin Hood figures (I bought Robin) and the Knights. Although the floor plan is different, I can still walk into that store today and remember EXACTLY where I saw the above figures. :) Sadly I have no images, stickers or anything, but I could always snap a pic of the storefront as it is today.

Another store I remember seeing Megos at was Towers, which was another national department store chain in Canada (eventually bought out by Zellers actually!) . I visited the Niagara Falls, ON location and although I don't remember buying Megos specifically there, I do remember getting other toys there, like the Big Jim Dr. Steel.

When K-mart started opening stores in Canada in the mid to late 70's (?), we had one in Niagara Falls, and of course I saw Megos there too. I specifically remember drooling over an endcap of POTA figures that were on sale for $1.99 each.

My fondest memories are toy shopping at Rosberg's in Niagara Falls though. (not a chain, just a local dept store). It was there that I first saw the WGSH wave that included the Fantastic Four. They were my favourites, and I lost it when I saw them for sale. I grabbed Mr. F and the Thing. This was the store where I also first saw the Pirates (I bought Long John Silver).

Hope my rambling memories are of some use to you, Benjamin. :smiley1:

imp

May 9, '08, 10:51 PM

That's great stuff, 'Buk. Thank you!

Topps looks kind of like a Kmart in that photo, what with the "Garden Center" off to the side.

And just to be clear, a store called "Value Village" was actually a department store?! Man, that's an odd name for a department store! Was it actually a cool store? Did they sell clothing, toys, kitchen/bed/bath items... typical 'department store' stuff?

imp

May 9, '08, 11:03 PM

Holy cats, you guys are rockin' the memories tonight. This is great!

Chris, thanks for all the info!

It was at the Niagara Falls Zellers... Sadly I have no images, stickers or anything, but I could always snap a pic of the storefront as it is today.

I would GREATLY APPRECIATE a shot of the store-front (especially the store logo), if you have the time and opportunity. Thank you!

Another store I remember seeing Megos at was Towers, which was another national department store chain in Canada...

OK, I had this store in my database, but I wasn't sure why; probably from one of your past posts on the subject? Thanks for the additional insight.

My fondest memories are toy shopping at Rosberg's in Niagara Falls though. (not a chain, just a local dept store)...

Nice! I've added Rosberg's to the list.

Hope my rambling memories are of some use to you, Benjamin.

Very much so! Keep 'em coming. I want to build a definitive list of Mego and/or 1970s toy retailers -- which I think will be a nice resource for collectors -- and this info is invaluable.

-b

ScottA

May 9, '08, 11:12 PM

The Toyroom

May 9, '08, 11:21 PM

My first Mego (Removable Cowl Batman/Solid Box) was purchased at Stars' Department Store (Black River Blvd, Rome NY) My brother got Removable Mask Robin/Solid Box at the same time. Eventually, these had to be replaced (my brother's Robin came unstrung first) and the new ones (painted masks) were bought at Grandway (a dept. store- Erie. Blvd, Rome. Grandway eventually was replaced by Zayres and later Ames)

Many of my Megos came from either the Sears or Montgomery Wards catalogs, for Christmas presents. This would include Joker, Riddler, Penguin, Catwoman, Batcopter, Batcycle and the Batmobile, as well as Zira, Cornelius, Astronauts (2), Dr. Zauis, and a Soldier Ape. Around the same time frame I also remember receiving a carded (Kresge) Aquaman as a gift (which I presume came from K-Mart in New Hartford, NY) and a boxed Riddler as a gift.

A carded Superman was purchased at Nichols (dept. store- Rt. 5, New Hartford, NY) and I recall seeing carded Hulks there as well as an open Trek Enterprise on display and carded Kirk and Cheron figures.

When Batman and Robin had to be replaced (yet again) I got new ones at the Rome Bargain Center (local family owned "dept" store...actually a bargain basement type of decor, Liberty St., Rome, NY. The toys were located down the end of a sloped floor toward the back of the building).

There may have been Megos at Kanoff's 5 and Dime (local family owned, Black River Blvd, Rome NY) but I'm a little fuzzy on this and don't recall any particulars.

I encountered boxed Supermans, Green Arrows, Penguins and Mr. Mxyzptlks at K-B Toys (Riverside Mall, Utica, NY) around '74-'77. Almost bought Green Arrow but can't recall exactly why I didn't. I do remember trying to figure out why this Mixelpik character was labelled as "Superman's Arch Enemy" instead of Lex Luthor.

Although I didn't buy them (!), I recall seeing all of the Teen Titans as well as carded Thor and Conan on a spinner rack at Tots to Teens (a clothing store- Black River Blvd, Rome NY). I'd spin the rack and admire them while shopping for school clothes but I think I thought I was too old by then to be buying "dollies".

Around the early 80s (81-83 maybe?), boxed Human Torch, Invisible Girl, Iron Man and Green Goblin began turning up in the toy aisle of Great American (grocery store chain- Chestnut St., Rome, NY. Great American had ties to the Victory chain of supermarkets I believe). Again, I didn't purchase them. But I did buy the '70s DC Comics that showed up in the toy aisle there around the same time! I wonder if someone came across a warehouse find of these things at the time?

UnderdogDJLSW

May 9, '08, 11:29 PM

Hi,
Outside of Washington in Montgomery County, MD:

Toys R US: In the early 70's my mom bought for me Superman, RC Batman, RM Robin. Since the boxes were without windows, she opened each one to see what they actually looked like before she agreed to buy the three for me. If my memory serves, It was just one shelf on an end cap next to the aisle with the GI Joes and such. Not much in the way of bringing it to the customer's attention. The shelf was at parent eye level. I do not remember what was underneath at my eye level. I just remember hoping that my mom put them in the cart and not back up on the shelf.

There was also a toy store called Juvenile Sales. I remember that they had a whole section of exploding bridges and CAH figures when that line came out. I still had a CAH FOS from that store that I sold recently. This is the price tag from it:

http://megomuseum.com/mmgallery/files/1/5/6/1/CAHFOS14.jpg

Bionic Joe

May 10, '08, 12:03 AM

1) What kind of store was it (department store, pharmacy, etc.)?
Grants City- depart store closed down around 75/76, J.M Fields-department store closed down in 80
2) Where were they located?
Grants City was on the White Horse pike in Clementon N.J / J.M Fields was on the White Horse pike in Straford N.J
3) Any personal and/or Mego memories about this store?
It was at Grants City i got my first POTA figure DR ZAIUS/ It was at J.M Fields were i got my first WGSH solid boxed RM/BATMAN and a week later i got a solid boxed SUPERMAN, i wanted ROBIN but they didn't have any shortly afterwards they got window boxes in and i got SPIDERMAN i think it was the circle suit not sure as the figure is long gone/ I also smean to rember J.M FIELDS had a better selection of WGSH but Grants City had the POTA figures and STAR TREK. Sorry no photo of price tags or of both stores which are both long gone

cjefferys

May 10, '08, 12:26 AM

Holy cats, you guys are rockin' the memories tonight. This is great!

Chris, thanks for all the info!

I would GREATLY APPRECIATE a shot of the store-front (especially the store logo), if you have the time and opportunity. Thank you!

OK, I had this store in my database, but I wasn't sure why; probably from one of your past posts on the subject? Thanks for the additional insight.

Nice! I've added Rosberg's to the list.

Very much so! Keep 'em coming. I want to build a definitive list of Mego and/or 1970s toy retailers -- which I think will be a nice resource for collectors -- and this info is invaluable.

-b

I can definitely get a photo of the Fort Erie Zellers storefront. It's in a small shopping mall about 10 minutes away from me, and I doubt if the outside (including the logo) had changed much in the last 30 years or so.

The Rosberg's store building is still standing, unoccupied since it closed (20 or so years ago), and the next time I'm in Niagara Falls I can take a quick picture of that too. I've always wondered if there are any goodies tucked away somewhere in that abandoned building. I highly doubt it, but my imagination always runs wild with thoughts like that. I remember that around 1980 or so, that store was clearing out a bunch of POTA stuff. I remember seeing the Treehouse for $2.99 but stupidly passed on it. But I eventually ended up buying a couple things, like a Verdon for 99 cents and the Battering Ram for $1.99. I still have that one. I just re-checked the box to make sure, but unfortunately no price tag is on it. I probably peeled the damn thing off shortly after buying it.

imp

May 10, '08, 1:16 AM

YOWZA.

I'm actually struggling to keep up with all this historical goodness, but all I can say is:

YEAH, BABY! KEEP IT COMIN'!

I've got the 'copy-paste' commands working on overdrive. I am working on a really dope archive, utilizing every ounce of memories, information and images you guys can muster.

Ask your siblings! Ask your parents! This subject has come up countless times in the past, and it's high time we created a definitive archive detailing our collective memories.

Let's compile the ultimate TIME MACHINE… for ourselves, for each other, and for future visitors to MegoMuseum.com.

:yeah:

-b

imp

May 10, '08, 1:25 AM

Besides the common places I remember getting or seeing Megos at Grants (Myrtle Beach, SC), Toby's Toys and Belles Hess (or Bellis Hess - both in Montgomery, AL). I'll have to ask my Mom which it is. It's the last place I bought Megos as a kid.

I got my first one (Superman) in Wilmington, N.C. but I have no idea what the name of the store wa. I'll ask my parents if they remember anything since most I got were for Christmas or birthday. I'll also check any price stickers I have.

Nice, Scott. Please confirm the store's spelling with your parents, and ask them if they remember anything about it (e.g. department store? local to S.C.?). Also please ask them about Toby's Toys. Never heard that one before.

To anyone else reading this, any recollection of "Grants?" The name has come up repeatedly, but I know very little, other than Scott's confirmation of one in S.C..

-b

imp

May 10, '08, 2:08 AM

Around the early 80s (81-83 maybe?), boxed Human Torch, Invisible Girl, Iron Man and Green Goblin began turning up in the toy aisle of Great American (grocery store chain- Chestnut St., Rome, NY. Great American had ties to the Victory chain of supermarkets I believe). Again, I didn't purchase them.

My goodness! Let's all welcome Anthony "Steel Trap Memory" Durso into the fray!

:juggleyes_y:

How can you remember all of that goodness? Specific locations?!! I'm impressed.

Seriously, though, I'm shocked to hear you found MIB 3rd and 4th Wave figures as late as '81-'83. That is so cool.

But I did buy the '70s DC Comics that showed up in the toy aisle there around the same time! I wonder if someone came across a warehouse find of these things at the time?

Based on those lingering MIB Mego Super-Heroes, I'm guessing that retailer had a freakin' time machine!

... the new ones (painted masks) were bought at Grandway (a dept. store- Erie. Blvd, Rome. Grandway eventually was replaced by Zayres and later Ames)

You mean that particular retail location was later occupied by those retailers, right? Or are you saying that Zayres bought Grandway, after which Ames bought Zayres? I assume you mean the former, but I want to confirm.

-b

The Toyroom

May 10, '08, 8:26 AM

My goodness! Let's all welcome Anthony "Steel Trap Memory" Durso into the fray!

:juggleyes_y:

How can you remember all of that goodness? Specific locations?!! I'm impressed.

Yeah, I have a tendency to remember a LOT more useless information than I legally should. :smiley1: I've lived here for 40 years so I guess you could say I'm aware of my surroundings.

Seriously, though, I'm shocked to hear you found MIB 3rd and 4th Wave figures as late as '81-'83. That is so cool.Based on those lingering MIB Mego Super-Heroes, I'm guessing that retailer had a freakin' time machine!

It wasn't for a long period of time if I recall...maybe a few months. The Mego figures disappeared earlier than the comic books. There were probably about 3-4 each of the figures. The comics books were primarily a DC assortment from the 70s, some 3-packed bagged, some loose. I gobbled them up as often as I could. The supply on these was actually replenished several times, unlike the Megos which was only the one shot and then they were gone.

You mean that particular retail location was later occupied by those retailers, right? Or are you saying that Zayres bought Grandway, after which Ames bought Zayres? I assume you mean the former, but I want to confirm.

Both actually...I'm not certain but I think Grandway was bought out by Zayres. Zayres was definitely bought out by Ames. They all occupied the same footprint in the shopping plaza, with Grandway opening up inside directly into the grocery store next door by the registers. Once it became Zayres (and then Ames) that portion was sealed up and the stores existed independently of the grocery. Eventually, after Ames closed, it was vacant for a while. The space was later converted into a P&C grocery store. They left and moved uptown and the spot was taken over by Tops Grocery. Tops left after a year or so and P&C returned back from uptown and took over the spot once again. Musical chairs in the retail world.

I also forgot to mention Jupiter's. Jupiter's was a small dept. store (W. Dominick St., Rome, NY) that had a bargain basement feel. They are probably best remember here in town for having a luncheonette counter with stools. Above the counter they was a line of multi-colored balloons hanging up. If you ordered an ice cream sundae, you could pop a balloon and the little paper inside would tell you how much they'd knock off your sundae. I remember seeing carded Kresges there (Supes/Bats/Robin/Wonder Woman/Batgirl/Aquaman primarily). And I'm very positive they were Kresge branded (not Mego branded) because on the glass doors of the store, there was a very prominent "sticker of ownership" which labelled Jupiter's as part of the S.S. Kresge family of stores! I've always wondered if at one point prior the store was actually called "Kresge's" before being renamed Jupiter's but I haven't been able to nail it down yet.

rchatlin

May 10, '08, 11:07 AM

Kiddie Land -
a large, well organized Toy Store
I bought at 2 different locations -
Oak Park & West Bloomfield, Michigan, but they had several other locations.
In Oak Park, I remember getting a boxed Aquaman.

Perry Drug Stores
Numerous locations in Michigan.
In West Bloomfield, I bought a Soldier Ape and Long John Silver.

As well as the usual suspects :Kresge, Sears, Ward

r
o
b

saildog

May 10, '08, 3:46 PM

I'd have to ask my Aunts to know for sure, but I am pretty sure they all came from TG&Y and Ben Franklin.

Hulk

May 10, '08, 6:49 PM

Drug Fair - NJ Pharmacy
Rexall Pharmacy
Tiny Tots - Bridgewater NJ Toy Store - I believe this was a one off store.
Sears Wish Book
Woolworth's
Jamesway
Caldor's
Kay-Bee Toy & Hobby

Not 100%, but my mom may have purchased some at either Alexander's or Abraham and Strauss department stores in the Woodbridge NJ mall as well. All of the above were NJ locations besides the Wish Book.

SainthoodDenied

May 10, '08, 8:42 PM

Let's see,there was
Ben Franklins
Gibsons
TG&Y
Harpers 5 & Dime
Otasco
Sears
K-Mart

I think that's all,
Chad

csxernie

May 10, '08, 10:12 PM

i come from a small town. we had a g.c. Murphy's. it was so cool because the toys were in the basement and as soon as you came off the stairs there set heaven..........megos looking right back.

Goblin19

May 11, '08, 12:22 AM

Mostly Children's Palace, but also Uncle Bill's and Gold Circle.

imp

May 12, '08, 9:57 PM

BTW, Ben, I cannot leave comments at your site, It says there is a "wee67" registered, but it does not recognize password AND it says it does not recognize my email address to get my lost password. I had the same issue when the site was originally put up. I do, however, realize why you want me not to leave comments. I know I wouldn't want me to comment ;)

Bill, I definitely want you to post! I've sent you a PM with a new password. Please try that, and LMK if you still have problems posting. Sorry about that!

Benjamin

imp

May 12, '08, 10:04 PM

I also forgot to mention Jupiter's. Jupiter's was a small dept. store (W. Dominick St., Rome, NY) that had a bargain basement feel. They are probably best remember here in town for having a luncheonette counter with stools. Above the counter they was a line of multi-colored balloons hanging up. If you ordered an ice cream sundae, you could pop a balloon and the little paper inside would tell you how much they'd knock off your sundae. I remember seeing carded Kresges there (Supes/Bats/Robin/Wonder Woman/Batgirl/Aquaman primarily). And I'm very positive they were Kresge branded (not Mego branded) because on the glass doors of the store, there was a very prominent "sticker of ownership" which labelled Jupiter's as part of the S.S. Kresge family of stores! I've always wondered if at one point prior the store was actually called "Kresge's" before being renamed Jupiter's but I haven't been able to nail it down yet.

Yes, Jupiter was part of the Kresge/Kmart family! Jupiter stores served as Discount Outlets for Kresge stores (if you can believe that!). Thus, it makes sense you recall seeing Kresge-branded "1st issue" cards (very cool, BTW!!)

In 1977, Kresge changed its name to "Kmart Corporation." Ten years after that, Kmart sold its remaining Kresge and Jupiter stores to a chain called "McCrory's." Incidentally, McCrory's founder helped Kresge founder Sebastian S. Kresge open the very first Kresge store… way back in 1897!

Kresge managed to come full-circle, though sadly as a means of vanishing. Sigh.

Benjamin

imp

May 12, '08, 10:12 PM

Drug Fair - NJ Pharmacy
Tiny Tots - Bridgewater NJ Toy Store - I believe this was a one off store.
Jamesway

Paul, do you have any additional information or memories about "Drug Fair" (what city?), "Tiny Tots" or "Jamesway?"

Benjamin

imp

May 12, '08, 10:16 PM

Let's see,there was
Harpers 5 & Dime
Otasco

Chad, do you have any information or memories about "Harpers 5&10" or "Otasco?" I haven't heard of either one yet. Do you recall the city and state where you shopped at these stores?

Benjamin

SoulSinger

May 12, '08, 10:42 PM

Where did you and your family buy Mego toys?I’m working on a new project, and I need your help.I want to document every retailer, large or small, that sold Mego action figures during the 1970s and early 1980s. I already started a Blog series documenting cool Mego price stickers, and now I’m asking from contributions [...]

More... (http://www.worldsgreatesttoys.com/wgtBlog/2008/05/09/mego-retailers-where-did-you-buy-your-toys/)

Walgreen's at Cherry Creek in Homewood, IL. They had WGSH on sale for $1 each! Also Sears, KMart, and Montgomery Ward's.

Bob

monkey tennis

May 12, '08, 11:01 PM

Woolworths
Gibbons

imp

May 12, '08, 11:51 PM

Woolworths
Gibbons

Any memories of "Gibbons?" Where was it located? What kind of store (Department store, pharmacy, etc.) was it?

Benjamin

Mr Havoc

May 13, '08, 1:21 AM

When I was a kid we had a Thriftway and on the side of it was a small pharmacy. they shared the same door but it was like a separate store inside the store. I bought all my toys there and models there. The other place that I would buy a few was The local Grange. it was cool just to see the money went up these brass tubes and your change came back down. I would find great deals there and really cheap. I bought a mego Spiderman for .99 at the Grange. I would replace him after he was all beat up.

DCSTING

May 13, '08, 9:36 AM

I remember the toy store in my local mall was called "KIDS". It would eventually become KB Toys at my mall. I don't know if anyone remembers a toy store by that name. From what I recall, they seemed as if they would have been part of a chain but I could be wrong. My first Mego purchase was roughly October 1973 (window box Supes) in that store. I recall purchasing quite a few other Mego's in this store. I also recall my parents and grandparents complaining that toys were really expensive in there. The first time I saw the Superfoe's, my Grandmother bought me a boxed Joker and Penguin on the spot. When I got home, my Mom was telling me how I had better thank my Grandmother for spending $8.00. (On both of them. They were $3.99 each).
I like many other's who have posted, also purchased a few megos at my local Kresge's so I ripped open a few Kresge cards in my day.

Wee67

May 13, '08, 10:44 AM

Kiddie City (I think they were later bought by Lionel), Sears and Two Guys.

Kiddie City was a specialized, large toy store along the lines of TRU today. It was owned by Lionel, who had sold off their famous trains some time in the late 60's, switching their focus to toys tores like Toy City, Toy Town and Playworld.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2339/2247042968_9c45331bd3.jpg?v=0

I remember hitting the aisles in store probably in Langhorne or Morrisville, PA around '74-'77. I can vaguely remember staring longingly at a boxed Conan. I remember thinking how cool his axe, sword and bracelets were. I couldn't get him then, but he did show up later for a birthday present.

Two-Guys was another New Jersey-based company, but Two-Guys was a chain of discount department stores run mostly in PA, NJ, NY, IL, CT, MD and CA.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/5/5b/TwoGuysMddltwn.jpg/800px-TwoGuysMddltwn.jpg

I used to frequent the Levittown, PA on a regular basis. Aside from the usual sales of tubes socks, toothpaste and toys, Two Guys had a grease-ily delicious cafeteria. Even better than most dept store caf's, Two Guys had a pretty decent arcade which included my all-time favorite pinball maching, Lost. We used to actually go there to play a game called jail break (I also have lived in places where it was called Man Hunt, Spring and Team Tag), using the Lost machine as base.

saucerful

May 13, '08, 11:39 AM

Woolworths--Department Store, 3rd Street near Santa Monica Blvd., Santa Monica, CA (to the lokul yokuls affectionately called "The Old Mall", though now it is "The 3rd Street Promenade"), I mostly remember the cheap lighting, the tacky clothing and chatchkies and also that my brother loved buying these flimsy one dollar black slip-on "Asian style" shoes there that he chose to exclusively wear while skateboarding all over town much to the chagrin of my parents (the 'ol foot support argument)

JC Penneys--Department Store, also on 3rd Street near Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica, CA, I remember the stripes and plaids here the most, must've gotten a bunch of clothing from here, and also they had some off white tile/concrete floors with sparkly crackly designs running through them, dunno why I remember that, maybe I was searching for lost treasures on the floor!

Europa--Department Store???, also on The Old Mall....can't remember it, but I think I was there buying stuff too....

Here is how I remember The Old Mall (I went a little crazy with pictures!!!):
http://www.smpl.org/archive/4831/IMG0026.JPG
Notice it says "DOLLS" on the right of the picture. Not sure which store this is, perhaps an old toy shop.
http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/5883/1181/1600/413611/Santa%20Monica%20Mall%2C%20Santa%20Monica%20CA%201 960s.jpg
http://www.smpl.org/archive/0434/IMG0082.JPG
http://www.smpl.org/archive/0932/IMG0018.JPG
http://www.smpl.org/archive/4831/IMG0089.JPG
http://www.smpl.org/archive/4831/IMG0024.JPG
http://www.smpl.org/archive/5029/IMG0006.JPG
http://www.smpl.org/archive/0434/IMG0083.JPG
http://www.smpl.org/archive/0259/IMG0086.JPG
http://www.smpl.org/archive/0932/IMG0023.JPG
http://www.smpl.org/archive/0932/IMG0022.JPG
http://www.smpl.org/archive/0932/IMG0003.JPG
http://www.smpl.org/archive/4831/IMG0031.JPG
http://www.smpl.org/archive/4831/IMG0027.JPG

rchatlin

May 13, '08, 1:41 PM

Here is how I remember The Old Mall

For another look at the Promenade,
check out "Pee Wee's Big Adventure"
when he's locking his bike with the never-ending chain.

r
o
b

saucerful

May 13, '08, 1:55 PM

Oh yeah! Thanks, Rob. I have seen the film many times and enjoyed that section quite a bit! Thanks for the reminder! In fact, looksy! I just youtubed it and you can see my Woolworth's!!!! YAAAAAAAAYYYYY!!!!
Santa Monica, CA Woolworth's about 20 seconds into clip (http://youtube.com/watch?v=T4-2NckEAGI)

Hulk

May 13, '08, 8:32 PM

Paul, do you have any additional information or memories about "Drug Fair" (what city?), "Tiny Tots" or "Jamesway?"

Benjamin

Drug Fair is still around, and is based in Central NJ. A small chain turned larger fighting against the CVS' of the world apparently. Mine was in Finderne, NJ (aka Bridgewater, NJ). Looks like they still have a store in that location.

481 Union Avenue
Bridgewater, NJ 08807

Welcome to Drug Fair (http://www.drugfair.com/)

Jamesway went out of business, but was very much like Caldor's. They finally kicked the bucket around 2002, but the stores in the NY / NJ Metro area probably closed in the mid 90's. I forget the actual stores we went to, there were a few in Central NJ.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/a/aa/Jamesway_logo.png

Jamesway - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jamesway)

Tiny Tots is a tough one. There is a store with no web site in the same general area called Tiny Tots / USA Baby, but I have no idea if they are related or not. Add that to the fact that Day Care places tend to like that name and finding much info on the web is tough.

i found some vague references that confirm I am not totally crazy in my recollection of the name. (search for tiny tots)

The Overnightscape #667 (11/28/07) (http://comnow.info/Drink-TRAVEL)
Two people shot in Plainfield - Topix (http://www.topix.com/forum/city/plainfield-nj/TJLDLNSN9EDK2DF4T)

misterdroid

May 13, '08, 8:48 PM

Mine mostly came from Sears (store), Kresge and Ben Franklin. I remember getting pretty much all my 12" megos from Meijers. One of my favorite "buying mego" memories was being bored out of my skull in an Ace (I think) Hardware store. The store had a little toy section. They had the mego knights and my parents let me get the whole set. Best trip to the hardware store EVER!

imp

May 13, '08, 9:50 PM

Mostly Children's Palace, but also Uncle Bill's and Gold Circle.

Can you provide any additional info about the latter two stores? Thanks!

Benjamin

imp

May 13, '08, 10:11 PM

Quick thanks to Mr Havoc, misterdroid, Wee67 (Bill) and Hulk (Paul) for the excellent new information!

Benjamin

mego boy CA

May 14, '08, 12:07 AM

i would buy megos at:
Thrifty's
K-Mart
Woolworth
Tru-Value Mercantile
Monte Mart
Sprouse Ritz not sure of the spelling on this one, but i got both Jon, and Ponch. great memories!

ScottA

May 14, '08, 9:32 AM

Talked to my Mom. She said it was Bellas Hess (with an a). Here's what I dug up on it:

National Cloak & Suit was founded about 1888. Around 1910 a reorganization brought about National Bellas Hess, into which Charles Williams stores were merged in late 1929. Bellas Hess survived until the late 1970s. At one time National Bellas Hess was one of the top five mail order companies in the country, but slid into bankruptcy in the late 1970s. In the 1960s it did about $250-million a year with 25 million catalogues mailed annually. Former employees attribute their demise to the fact that the company more or less abandoned its mail order mission in favor of discount retail stores and supermarkets.

She also said she purchased Megos at Grants and Roses (in the Carolinas), Gaylords (here in Montgomery), and at the BX (Base Exchange - we lived on base since my Dad was in the Air Force).

Gaylords was like Ames and Zayres.

She is going to think about it some more and she if she remembers anything else.

I remember seeing the 12" magnetic Batman and Robin in Circus World in Montgomery Mall here and wanting them but I was "too old" for toys by then.

I'm still trying to find information on Toby's Toys. It was about half the size of TRU but was full of nothing but toys. I'll keep checking.

david_b

May 14, '08, 12:19 PM

My 1st issue Batman/Robin were from Kmart, where I got a few others later on, but most were from Shopko (a northern midwest store..) in Wisconsin..

david b.

madmarva

May 14, '08, 2:29 PM

I got my first Batman (removable cowl) and Robin at Wal-Greens. I believe it was the summer before I started kindergarten. My best friend had a Superman that summer.

By Christmas I had broken both of them with rough play. Type 1 bodies never lasted, but I got Superman, Aquaman, Robin and Batman (painted head). I'm guessing that they were bought at a department store in Memphis called Goldsmiths.

By that spring, a Wal-Mart opened in my hometown of West Memphis, Ark., I remember getting Captain Marvel (Shazam), Spider-Man, Tarzan, Buffalo Bill Cody, Wild Bill, Cochise, Sitting Bull, Dracula, The Wolfman, the mummy and Frankenstein before going into the first grade all at Wal-Mart. Not all at once but spread out over the spring and summer and early fall. I wanted a Davey Crocket so bad, but never found one, although that friend who had Superman did have him. He and I always traded toys back and forth.

It seems like the fall that I was in first grade, the first wave of Star Trek characters came out and I got all of them and then the Enterprise for Christmas. I also got a Batgirl, Penguin, Joker and Riddler that Christmas. I'm sure they came from Wal-Mart.

That summer I got a Hulk, Green Goblin, Thing, Mr. Fantastic and Human Torch from the new K-Mart store and that fall I think a Green Arrow from Wal-Mart.

At some point after that I got Mxy, Iron Man, Thor, but I have no clue where. I also had several Planet of the Apes figures. Through the fourth or fifth grade I probably got at least one Mego a month. Anytime superman or Batman or Captain Marvel got a little frazzeled I'd ask for another then make a crude custom figures out of the other by mixing and matching costumes, heads and other clothes. I'd use white athletic tape to doctor up the costumes and then color them the appropriate color with magic markers. I thought I was so smart when I made a Hawkman and used aluminum foil to make his wings.

My favorite crude custom was a Green Lantern. I used a Kirk head. I cut the arms and legs out of a Green arrow costume and put it over top a Batman suit and used the Green arrow boots.

Iron Man was a catchall type figure for me. If I was playing Legion of Super heroes, he'd be Wildfire or later when I started readin X-men, he'd be colossus. If I was playing Justice League, he would be villain — metallo.

Those were fun times

Tyme2tyme

May 14, '08, 5:22 PM

My BIG THREE were #1 Woolco (I loved that store!) #2 Zayre and #3 K-mart, JOHN

zerohour

May 14, '08, 11:32 PM

I believe Zayre, Woolco and KMart supplied me and my brother with most of our figures as well.

I remember in later years Toys R Us being the only store to have them. I had become a little older and was into other toys. By the time the itch to get more Megos came around they were all gone from the shelves.

Man, I was upset. For the longest time they only had Hulk left and I would see him each time we went in there (for $2.99!!!). But never did get him. My Hulk had gone exploring in an underground "mine" in my backyard some time before so I was ready to replace him.

Low and behold the day came when I told my Dad I want Hulk. We went there specifically to get him, but the unthinkable had happened.
All of the Hulk figures left on the shelf had simultaneously snapped at the knee and were hanging there with broken legs!....the horror....the horror!!

Needless to say my Dad wasn't about to buy a brand new broken toy.