Nooks and Crannies - Surprising Places to Look for High-Quality Stuffed Creatures

Salutations from The Stuffed Animal Review; a publication dedicated to the analysis of stuffed creature design and their larger worlds.  First-time readers might want to peruse the “Philosophy” page, for a fuller explanation of The Review’s purpose.  For ambitious first-time readers, you can find The Review’s ten-part guide to high-quality stuffed animal design on the “Core Principles” page. 

Last Saturday The Review discussed changes in the retail toy industry, which has made it increasingly difficult to find high-quality stuffed animals at dedicated toy stores.  Where does one turn?  The Review has some suggestions…

Nooks and Crannies – Surprising Places to Look for High-Quality Stuffed Creatures

1. Gas Stations.  Gas station convenience stores are go-to stops for sodas, slushies, coffee, postcards, maps, and a wide array of sweet and salty processed foods that ooze and crunch.  But expansive gas stations, especially those popular with truckers, often sell gifts.  Alongside kitchy snow-globes and shot glasses, you very well might find a brilliantly designed stuffed creature. Also be on the lookout for stand-alone racks of small stuffed creatures.  [See Shopping for a Stuffed Creature: The Decision to Buy for the story of Piggy.]

2. Pharmacies.  Amidst medications and personal hygiene supplies, most pharmacies have an aisle devoted to children’s toys.  If you can make your way through all the pink and blue plastic, you might stumble upon a well-designed stuffed animal.  Frazier, a Review staffer, was discovered in a Walgreen’s in St. George, Utah, on the bottom shelf of the toy aisle. 

3. Bookstores.  Big chain bookstores such as Barns and Nobles typically have children’s sections.  Tucked into the book displays are often a decent array of stuffed animals.  The Review has stumbled upon Gund bears – stuffed animals of distinction – in these sections, as well as creatures that were heavily fondled and almost purchased. 

4. Tourist Destination Towns.  Small towns who survive by catering to large numbers of tourists will often be able to support a quality toy store that focuses on “old-fashioned” toys such as puzzles, wooden trains, building blocks, and stuffed animals.  Cheppie, a Review staffer, is a case-in-point [Figure 1].   

Figure 1

Cheppie’s hometown is Frankenmuth, Michigan. Frankenmuth was founded by Franconian Germans in 1845 (known today as Bavaria).  Contemporary Frankenmuth has turned to its German heritage for tourist dollars.  Nearly every building has been “restored” to its Franconian past.  More accurately, every Main Street building has been turned into a Disney-styled Franconian confection [Figures 2&3].

Figure 2: Main Street Frankenmuth or Main Street Disneyworld?  Hard to tell with the faux turret, stone detailing, and gingerbread touches.

Figure 3: Case-in-point.  The local muffler shop resides in a Bavarian cottage striving to be too-cute-for-words.

Amidst the Cheese Haus and Mac’s Fudge shop is an excellent toy store where Cheppie was found.