The Toys Time Forgot

A couple of months ago, I read on Wonderful Wonderblog, one of my favorite pop culture blogs, about a local vintage toy store located in Canal Fulton.  Then a few weeks later I heard a friend who collects unusual board games talking about buying one of his precious finds at this same vintage toy store.  So I finally went down to Canal Fulton to check out this place myself.  What I found there blew my mind!

Wall to wall, floor to ceiling, aisle after aisle--Toy & Collectibles Heaven

The Toys Time Forgot make the claim that they are Ohio’s #1 vintage toy store--and you’ll believe it once you step inside.  Specializing in baby boomer toys, they buy, sell and trade vintage and classic TV toys and movie memorabilia.  You can also find Barbies and GI Joes, Transformers, Match Box and Hot Wheels, non-sports trading cards, and comic books--both old and new.  But any fan of Star Wars and Star Trek items will find that this place is their paradise!

Sci-Fi Nerd Alert: the sheer volume of both old and new Star Wars and Star Trek collectibles in Toys Time Forgot is staggering!

What I was most excited about were the vintage metal and vinyl lunch boxes that lined the shelves close to the ceiling.  Not only did they have the orange metal lunch box I carried in 6th grade--Sid & Marty Krofft Supershow--it was in amazing condition!  I asked about the most expensive lunch box and I was shown the iconic Beatles one.  But the one I most covet is Julia--a green metal lunch box from the 1960s sitcom that starred Diahann Carroll.

Do you see the Julia lunch box? It's top row, just to the left of the Hardy Boys and Knight Rider.

I was also blown away by all the vintage board games and the many classic Viewmaster reels.  My boyfriend was eyeing the Big Trak programmable vehicle that he desperately wanted as a child.  He actually hasn’t stopped talking about it since our visit!

Individual packs of non-sports trading cards on top of a display case loaded with cases of trading cards!  Yes, I was looking at past series of Wacky Packages.  Is that a Mrs. Beasley doll from the TV show 'Family Affair?' in the background--YYESS!

If you’re looking to make a stop down there, Saturday May 5th--Free Comic Book Day--may be the perfect opportunity.  The store is planning a huge event which includes: 200-250 different free comic books, all kinds of sales and discounts as well as prizes and a raffle.  They will also be the host to several special “guests” including: the Batmobile, the Joker Mobile, the General Lee (from The Dukes of Hazzard), Robot B-9 (from Lost in Space), several comic book artists making sketches, and more.  Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle fans take note: they will even have artist Kevin Eastman-signed copies of children’s coloring books on hand.

Did someone say STAR WARS?

What vintage toy would you like to have?  I’m willing to bet the friendly staff at The Toys Time Forgot know all about it.  The store is clean, well stocked and inviting.  Take my warning: you’ll be in the store longer than you planned.  There really is something for everyone to see there.  When you stop in to The Toys Time Forgot, tell them Akron Empire sent you.

Fraggle Rocks--one loose and one still in the original box

The Toys Time Forgot is located at 137 E. Cherry Street in historic downtown Canal Fulton, OH 44614.  That’s straight down Manchester Rd. (Rt. 93) into the small town of Canal Fulton--you really can’t miss it.  They are open Tues-Sat 11am-8pm, Sun 12-5pm.
http://www.ToysTimeForgot.com
330-854-1700