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I first heard about Oakridge Hobbies & Toys at the Lisle Eyes To The Sky Festival. They had a booth there where they were offering free children's crafts and face painting. There was quite a line for the face painting because other booths were charging and they were doing it for free. My kids wanted their faces painted so I waited in line while they did the free crafts. A nice young man gave me a coupon to their store as I waited.
I didn't think much of it until two weeks later when I had to get a birthday present for one of my son's friends. So I took the coupon and decided to give Oakridge Hobbies & Toys a shot.
From the outside, the store doesn't look really big but once you're inside, you'll be suprised! There are a bunch of large stuffed jungle animals at the front and around the top ready to greet you after you walk in. Around the store are also different fun props and things that make it sort of like FAO Shwartz. My sons loved the electric train that chugs above and around the store. They chased it and followed it for a few laps.
Oakridge has a lot of different things that you don't find in the toy aisle at Target or ToysRUs. If you want something other than plastic toys like Barbies and GIJoe you should definately check them out. They've got a nice selection of brands like Melissa and Doug, Playmobil, Lego and Kidoozie. There's toys I remember when I was young like Sockem Boppers, Ant farms and Voice Changers. There's plenty of other toys and gifts that I haven't seen before. I was taking mental notes for Christmas because it comes sooner than you think.
The back of the store is a hobby shop. They have slot race car sets, trains, model kits, chemistry sets and remote control cars. My two sons had a lot of fun playing on the race track they had set up in the back of the store (another Christmas mental note). They also had a computer RC plane simulator that you can practice flying before you buy a plane or helicopter. My kids and I crashed way too much! It was fun. Maybe in a few years!
We settled on a Batman Lego Juniors set for the gift and some of these small metal laser cut airplane kits for me and my sons to build at home. The lady behind at checkout was very friendly and offered to wrap our gift for free. Saves me from buying wrapping paper and doing it myself.
Overall it was a great trip to a very nice store. I've got a bunch of new ideas for possible Christmas presents for my two boys and I'm definately telling Grandma about Oakridge for her future shopping.
ANTHONY B.
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