Gift List Day 9: What's Old Is New

Have you been looking for that favorite Lego set from 1995 or Star Wars figures from the 1970's to share with your little bird?  Look no further because independent retailer, A Nu Toy Store, in Tarrytown, NY, may have just what you've been searching for and will be sold below retail price-awesome, I know!

Angel Rafter,  owner and mother of two, opened A Nu Toy Store in 2008.  A Nu Toy Store sells many of our favorite brands from Melissa and Doug, Green Toys,  Playmobil and many others.  Here's how it works: People can bring in their unopened never used toys and sell it for cash. Angel also scours church sales and tag sales looking for unopened treasures (like smurf collectibles, barbies etc)  You'll even discover that brand new toys are often sold 10%-20% below the retail price.

Friends, meet Angel:

Bebe Birds:  Hi Angel!  Can you share with our readers the concept of A Nu Toy Store

Angel Rafter: We sell new and used toys. Many of our "used" toys are toys that have never been opened.  So, customers can get a "new" toy at a used price.  Our toys are always discounted, 10-20% below retail. We also have vintage toys for parents to remember and enjoy.

BB: What a great idea!  What inspired you to open such a shop?  

AR :  It was that closet that most of us have with unopened gifts.  It occured to me that most of us have this -the return policies have become ridiculous and we want more for those toys than what we could get at a garage sale.  So, I thought if I bought these unopened toys from people and resold them at a discount all could be happy.

BB: What are you hoping your customers take away with them after shopping at A Nu Toy Store? 

A: The perfect toy.

BB:  Can you share with us some of your best finds-past or present?

A:  Weeble Wobbles, a John Travolta doll, old Hess trucks never opened, but the best for me is the complete set of vintage Legos.

BB: Any tips for people when shopping for the holidays? 

A:  Compare, compare, compare!  Many of the big box stores mark up their toys to have these sales.

BB: Can you share with us a favorite holiday moment?   

A:  Christmas morning! The magic of that day, the happiness in my children's face and the true belief in the holiday at that moment.

Check out some special items A Nu Toy Store will be featuring this Holiday season (among many others):

From top: Hobbit Lego's, $13-$60 (depending on the variety); Mudpuppy 42 piece puzzle, $10.99; Bad Kitty children's book, $7-$17 (depending on book type) all available at A Nu Toy Store, Tarrytown, NY, 914.372.7144