"We're excited about Quadrilla, a wooden construction marble kit that you build and add to. It looks like a good fourth quarter item."

—Grafton Stine, owner, Toys on the Square, Hummelstown, Pa., September 2006

 

"At the beginning of the year, RC aircraft were really popular, and in the last two months, we've not sold one. I would have to say it's mail order — we can't compete with that." 

—Nate Secat, sales representative, Winkie's Toys & Hobby, Lititz, Pa., December 2006

www.winkies.com

 

"Parents get frustrated with dolls that fall apart … so they look for the more unique product and seek out specialty stores."

—Rich Gordon, owner, Learning Express of Exton, Exton, Pa., April 2006

www.exton.learningexpress.com

 

"The Firebird Freedom by Hobby Zone is a good starter plane at a good price, and it has new technology."

—Sheena Demko, manager, Nittany Line Hobbies & Toys, State College, Pa., December 2006

www.nittanylinehobbies.com

 

"Some of our favorite things are Rodys — the big hop balls for little kids."

—Katie Henry, sales associate, Toy Magic, Bethlehem, Pa., November 2006

www.toymagiconline.com

 

"I have mostly for younger kids, like models — a Lego plane and a city airport. Also a plane by Simba, like a Playmobil-type."

—James Burdette, owner, LB Toys, Media, Pa., December 2006

 

"I think the most valuable thing for me [at trade shows] is to be able to see the products in person and put my hands on them. A lot of times, toys will look great in a magazine, but you need to touch them, see how they work, and interact with them."

—Lisa LeStrange, owner, Lucky Duck Toys, Wayne, Pa., November 2006

www.luckyducktoys.com

 

"Probably the best things we are doing right now are the Papo figures and the inside out balls from Play Visions."

—Richard Emery, owner, Toystar, Easton, Pa., December 2005

 

"LEGO always does well. It all sells. That creative series they have has done very well for us. Each box builds a lot of different models. So that gives the child multiple chances to play with it."

—Jack Cohen, owner, S W Randall Toyes and Giftes, Pittsburgh, Pa., November 2005

www.swrandalltoys.com

 

"[There's a] rise in Lionel Trains during holiday season."

—Bob Mehler, co-owner, Esther's Hobby, Pittsburgh, Pa., December 2006

www.esthershobby.com

 

 

"Some of the best-selling toys this year for us are still some of the best from years past. Dollhouses, Calico Critters, almost any kind of wooden toys, crafts and Thomas the Tank Engine."

—Diana Glasier, owner, Green Caboose, Stroudsburg, Pa., December 2006

 

 

"[We're seeing] a resurgence of Lincoln Logs."

—Sally Seeton, part-time sales associate, Village Toy Shoppe, Lahaska, Pa., December 2005

 

"We always go to our companies we deal with [at trade shows], but are always looking for the new products, also."

—Robin Hays, partner, Party Ants, Sewickley, Pa., November 2006

 

"We are about to move to a bigger location and do Build-A-Bear, so I'd like to see a section on doing that [in your magazine]."

—Angel Stahl, owner, Angel's Toy Barn, Greensburg, Pa., December 2006

www.angelstoybarn.com

 

"Zoob is a strong seller."

—Tara Trew, sales associate, Growing Tree Toys & Books, State College, Pa., April 2006