Steve's Toy Box: Decades of Toy Knowledge Abound
MAMARONECK, N.Y. With the holiday season upon us, toy store owner Steve Josephson is ready to make the holidays special for children around Westchester County, a job he has taken seriously for more than four decades.
At Steves Toy Box in Mamaroneck, N.Y., all the usual toys and games are amid hard to find items on shelves that go from floor to ceiling. Josephson is also available, ready to share his wealth of knowledge and love of toys.
Starting out with his father at a store in the Bronx, Josephson has watched toy trends come and go. This year Barbie made a big comeback, he said. Legos are strong. Many of the usual products will be in high demand, he explained, but it is not like a generation ago when there was one must-have item for the season.
Josephson said the toy industry hasnt changed much over the years except for the addition of electronics. Monopoly is still Monopoly. Play Doh is still Play Doh, he said. Back to basics is where its at to the average consumer.
Josephson joined Toy Box in Mamaroneck in 1996 after the passing of his best friend, it's previous owner. He said the store has been a mainstay in town for 35 years. At a time when big box stores are making it hard for independents, Toy Box is the largest independent toy store in Westchester County.
Josephson, who is always on hand to give advice about what toys best fit a shoppers needs, points to customer service as a way of setting his store apart from the others. Toy Box services include free gift wrapping, free parking and a book area available for children to play while parents shop.
A resident of Rye Brook, he has had several other toy stores around New York over the years. This is the one I have right now. It is my baby, Josephson said affectionately. I love it.
When asked why he has sold toys for nearly half a century, Josephson said, I make childrens dreams come true.
Click here to follow Daily Voice Mamaroneck and receive free news updates.
ncG1vNJzZmickZ65usLOopqeZpOkunC6xLBksqeioHyurcyaqaimlZi4cLrEop6hmp%2BnwHC%2F056tnqtdqby6ecGor2aclZiupbHSZqafZaSkxm63zaiupZ2UnLJurcGorKecX2mCdn%2BTbGY%3D