Since 1988 Treasure Island Toys has been an independently owned and operated toy store on the Danforth. With the product knowledge that comes with so many years of experience, our staff can help you make the best selection whether you are shopping for a newborn or a teenager.
When Katie MacKinnon and Lori Parker bought the Danforth landmark Treasure Island Toys in 2010, they knew they had a lot to live up to. The independent toy store had been at the centre of the Riverdale parenting community for over 20 years, and with the original owner retiring, parents were furrowing their brows wondering: would Treasure Island Toys fall into the wrong hands?
But they needn’t have worried. Katie and Lori were local moms who had given up their nine-to-five jobs and had been regular customers of Treasure Island Toys. After being at home with her kids, Katie had no intention of re-entering the corporate world, and Lori had no desire to return to a desk. “I wanted to do something that was more connected to the community and closer to home,” says Lori, “to do something I enjoyed and believed in.”
Warning: this charming store is filled with so many toys, there’s a very good chance you’ll be distracted from your gift-buying mission. The big pirate ship in the middle and various play stations set up around the store also don’t help to speed up the gift buying process if you’ve brought a little one along. Still, once you pull yourself away from all the cool toys, you’ll find the perfect gift in no time.
You are entering a child’s fantasy wonderland, with a giant pirate ship in the middle of the store, surrounded by various play stations. The business was founded in 1988 and built on a formula of combining classic favourites with popular trends. The owners vet all of their merchandise for safety, local-sourcing, durability and play value.