Vertical Life Pgh

When shopping, there’s nothing that’s makes my impulse spending at a level that makes my credit card emit smoke quite like a store full of shelves stocked with toys, games and other knick knacks from my childhood.  “Vintage Toys” if you will and other than my frequented pages on ebay, or the occasional antique store visits, I dont get much opportunity to simply slip back into a nostalgic state of adolescence quite like I do at S.W.Randall.  Although, looking nothing more than a tiny boutique from the street, this little retail gem, situated just down the street from mega stores such as Brooks Brothers, and Saks Fifth Avenue, is hard to miss.  If you’re not drawn in by playful music or the “In-Season Steeler songs” sounding from outdoor speakers, then surely you’ll be invited in by the window display’s plentiful supply of lit up gadgets, marionettes and even a moving train, plane or automobile playfully teasing even the cold-at-heart to come inside and play. The display changes quite often, so if you don’t have a chance to stop in, it’s even lovely to just pass by and window browse.

This is not your average toy store.  It’s 3 stories of the most popular, specialty toys, gifts and gadgets for a child 0-100+ years young.  With their downtown location (1 of 3 in the Pittsburgh region) as my personal favorite, mostly because of it’s urban charm, I frequent this store often times first, when searching for a gift for just about anyone, (including myself) or just to come and play – Yes, really!

My personal favorite display in the store is the Barbie Room, which often includes a doll from each major change in Mattel’s favorite models’ life, including the original series, holiday series, celebration series, anniversary series and some of the most sought after collectible years editions in the figure’s, er, life.

Another favorite is the train display with some of the most elegantly crafted toys of transportation I have rarely seen in person.  I swear, you bring a kid to just watch and observe this display, and you got yourself a babysitter for a good hour (Okay, maybe not literally, but you get my point).

Other favorites include the Halloween selection, stuffed animals (beanie baby – panda bear sized!) piggy banks, musical instruments, and shelves upon shelves of collectibles.

As S.W. Randall is Pittsburgh’s largest specialty toy and gift store with over 20,000 items in stock, it’s no surprise as to what you can find – both in the store and via online catalog purchase.   They even go as far to offer the convenience, if the item you are searching for is not listed, to call or stop into their downtown location for assistance.   Their Promise: “Our selection is so vast we can satisfy most requests.”

So if ever you long for the nostalgia of those simple, tender moments of your childhood, don’t go see your therapist – take a stroll down Smithfield and stop in to S.W.

http://www.swrandalltoys.com/index.html

630 Smithfield St.
Pittsburgh, Pa. 15222
Ph. 412-562-9252

Hours:  M-Saturday 10 – 5:30