Author Topic: toy stores on Steinway (Read 11948 times)

astoria-for-life · « **on:** January 21, 2009, 06:01:31 AM »

here we go!!! Toys on steinway... Does any one remember "Socols" (great place for plastic models.) next to rizzo's pizza or.. "Valco's" (two locations # 1 - 32-42 steinway now "casa de BEBE or Valco's other store "32-66 Steinway" elane Bryant (spelled correct?) or the third toy store "playworld' now soon to be another gym.. In these 3 fab 60's / 70's places I got my first"huffy thunder road "BMX bike, and my GI JOE adventure team man .EAGLE EYE with the KUNG FU grip ! I know I am dating myself here.... quiet... nobody else had a 12" "adventure team" GIJOE? ........... god ..I guess Iam OLD. lol lol.

ddanny999 · « **Reply #1 on:** January 21, 2009, 07:37:16 AM »

I still miss Valco. The last purchase I made there (a few months before they closed) was a Mego Buck Rogers in the 25th Century "Draco" action figure (from 1979) that had been sitting behind a box for at least ten years. I paid just $2.00 for it and I still have it in my collection (still on the card).

In the 70's, I remember a hobby store on 37th or 38th Street (I think) that had model kits and rocket kits; but I am not referring to the hobby shop on 36th street still in operation (they put old books on the front of the store) and from the inside looks like it was once an old soda shop (complete with a bar).

Playworld had a great collection of model kits (an entire section) of every size and scale, including Testor's brand paint, glue, sandpaper, etc. Their Kenner Star Wars section (figures, playsets, vehicles) was nirvana.

Quote from: astoria-for-life on January 21, 2009, 06:01:31 AM

here we go!!! Toys on steinway... Does any one remember "Socols" (great place for plastic models.) next to rizzo's pizza or.. "Valco's" (two locations # 1 - 32-42 steinway now "casa de BEBE or Valco's other store "32-66 Steinway" elane Bryant (spelled correct?) or the third toy store "playworld' now soon to be another gym.. In these 3 fab 60's / 70's places I got my first"huffy thunder road "BMX bike, and my GI JOE adventure team man .EAGLE EYE with the KUNG FU grip ! I know I am dating myself here.... quiet... nobody else had a 12" "adventure team" GIJOE? ........... god ..I guess Iam OLD. lol lol.

PJ · « **Reply #2 on:** January 21, 2009, 09:41:21 AM »

Well I am a 80's baby and all i know is that Steinway had alot of toy shops...even Ditmars /31st had one where the 99cent store is

I did collect the following,

-GI Joes
-Matchbox cars
-THe Mask (old cartoon)
-Lego's
-Garbage Pail Kids
-Ghostbusters Action Figures
-Volton
-Smurfs
-Transformers
-California Raisins
-WWF Wrestlers - (the big rubber ones)

Ask me where they are now, I wish i only knew....and i dont even bother collecting toys anymore - they just not as cool as they once were made

NYCGoalie · « **Reply #3 on:** January 21, 2009, 11:12:30 AM »

Wow, those names bring back some great memories. I used to LOVE going to those stores when I was a kid. When I was good, my Dad would take me there and allow me to buy stuff. It's too bad those stores went out of business so long ago.

Also reminds me of the 'ol TSS store across from MPB. I'd just hang out in the sporting goods section for the longest!! Another store I miss.

NYCMacUser · « **Reply #4 on:** January 21, 2009, 12:04:21 PM »

Sokol's was owned by the Wager family. Julian Wager, founder and president of the Central Astoria Local Development Coalition (CALDC), President of the Steinway Street BID, has also provided 30 years of service to Community Board 1 and serves as the Advertising Director of the Western Queens Gazette,

oliver klosoff · « **Reply #5 on:** January 21, 2009, 12:25:05 PM »

ahh, Playworld, i loved that moviehouse-style marquee they had outside. as a kid you could see it from a block away.
on Ditmars, we had Kiddieland.

ABB · « **Reply #6 on:** January 21, 2009, 01:03:26 PM »

I remember all of them.When I was a kid we called Valco's "Cheap Charlie's".I don't know why,maybe there was a store there with that name previously and our parents just kept calling it that.

hellgateviking · « **Reply #7 on:** January 21, 2009, 02:11:49 PM »

ABB, I too, remember my parents, Aunts, Uncles and cousins all referring to Valco's as "Cheap Charlie's in the 70's. I remember walking up Steinway Street when I was a kid, and getting very excited when we passed by, although we were usually on the other side of the street. I also remember looking all around for any indication that it had "Cheap Charlie's" anywhere in its name. Being brought in by my parents or my Uncle and Aunt was always like winning the lottery for me! This pleasant memory just reminded me to ask them why they called it Cheap Charlie's.

mcdirk · « **Reply #8 on:** January 21, 2009, 06:24:23 PM »

Quote from: NYCMacUser on January 21, 2009, 12:04:21 PM

Sokol's was owned by the Wager family. Julian Wager, founder and president of the Central Astoria Local Development Coalition (CALDC), President of the Steinway Street BID, has also provided 30 years of service to Community Board 1 and serves as the Advertising Director of the Western Queens Gazette,

Julian is a great guy - one of the nicest people you will meet. He's done a lot of good!

AlexNYC · « **Reply #9 on:** January 21, 2009, 08:35:14 PM »

Quote from: ddanny999 on January 21, 2009, 07:37:16 AM

In the 70's, I remember a hobby store on 37th or 38th Street (I think) that had model kits and rocket kits; but I am not referring to the hobby shop on 36th street still in operation (they put old books on the front of the store) and from the inside looks like it was once an old soda shop (complete with a bar).

I remember the hobby shop from the late 1970s which was on 30th Avenue just off 37th Street, next door to where there is currently a grocery/convenience store. I think it was open for about 2 years (1979-1980?) I bought a few models kits there myself. The other hobby shop which is still going strong today is Rudy's at 35-16 30th Avenue just off 36th Street, a nice store for most any hobby need, and yes, it used to be a soda shop from the 1950s-early 1980s. They used to also have a sweets section near the front where you can buy various penny candies, gum balls, and even rock candy. The owner Rudy is the same owner who transformed it into a hobby shop, he is very helpful and knowledgeable about most all hobby topics.

NYCMacUser · « **Reply #10 on:** January 22, 2009, 12:02:42 AM »

Quote from: mcdirk on January 21, 2009, 06:24:23 PM

Julian is a great guy - one of the nicest people you will meet. He's done a lot of good!

I've known him since I was a little girl. He certainly deserves all the accolades he gets. He get's such a bum rap on his association with the Steinway Street BID. He fights with the landlords constantly. He is heartsick about he sees happening to the street.

Quote from: AlexNYC on January 21, 2009, 08:35:14 PM

I remember the hobby shop from the late 1970s which was on 30th Avenue just off 37th Street, next door to where there is currently a grocery/convenience store. I think it was open for about 2 years (1979-1980?) I bought a few models kits there myself. The other hobby shop which is still going strong today is Rudy's at 35-16 30th Avenue just off 36th Street, a nice store for most any hobby need, and yes, it used to be a soda shop from the 1950s-early 1980s. They used to also have a sweets section near the front where you can buy various penny candies, gum balls, and even rock candy. The owner Rudy is the same owner who transformed it into a hobby shop, he is very helpful and knowledgeable about most all hobby topics.

Quote from: NYCMacUser on August 10, 2007, 11:48:36 PM

Rudy's! OMG RUDY'S! That was our hangout. We'd pool our money to order french fries and a soda and sit there forever. Such sweet memories. The funny thing was that when we had money, we'd go to the Kosher deli on the corner of 36th Street and 30th Avenue and get a hot dog. Ahhh, those were the days of the $0.50 hot dog with mustard and coleslaw!

Quote from: NYCMacUser on February 26, 2007, 12:36:57 AM

It would be better if we could take that back to 1965 when, on 30th Avenue, we had 2 fabulous bakeries, Avon and Norgaard, who baked with fresh butter; or the Kosher deli which is now Frank's Bakery; or when Rudy's was a real teenage hangout with malts and hamburgers and french fries; when Klein's Dry Cleaner's had an expert tailor who could redesign a suit or a ball gown; or the egg and butter store (I think the name was Elner's) who actually churned the butter on site; or Bright's Appliances on the corner of 33rd Street who saved you a trip to the City to buy all those small appliances; or Keystone who was an institution in this neighborhood for 50+ years where you could always get a decent meal 24 hours a day; or that Chinese restaurant who used to be on the corner of 32nd Street where you could sit down and get a meal from soup to nuts (wonton to lychee) for less that $3.00; or the Halmark card store near the el who would special order anything you needed, like special thank you cards or invitations, on a timely basis—I truly miss some of the 'good old days' but I do love some of the changes that have made this Community so rich in it's diversity and it's willingness to change with the times and yet remain stable and comfortable—and the people who come and go, but especially the people who come and stay.

Ratchetrn6 · « **Reply #11 on:** January 23, 2009, 01:05:50 PM »

Don't forget Treasure Cove, which was where Taverna Kyclades is now.... And on Steinway, which hardly anyone remembers- Cookie Kingdom- It was where the bank next to Starbucks is now. They used to have all sorts of cookies and the outside looked like a castle. We used to BEG my mom to take us there. One of my favorite memories is of Perry's Delight, the ice cream shop that was on the corner of 31st Street and 24th Ave. I would LOVE to have a picture of that place!!!

furifuriman · « **Reply #12 on:** January 24, 2009, 10:34:22 AM »

Quote

The owner Rudy is the same owner who transformed it into a hobby shop, he is very helpful and knowledgeable about most all hobby topics.

:mrgreen: He's great guy. Wish I lived here when he was still running the ice cream shop. That must be fun!

oliver klosoff · « **Reply #13 on:** January 24, 2009, 11:29:31 AM »

wow, Cookie Kingdom, it you didnt remind me, i would have never remembered.
Treasure Cove was actually where Top Tomato now is.
they closed down and moved across the street, now a realty is where the second location was.

trolleydude · « **Reply #14 on:** March 17, 2009, 08:41:05 PM »

Quote from: NYCMacUser on January 22, 2009, 12:02:42 AM

I've known him since I was a little girl. He certainly deserves all the accolades he gets. He get's such a bum rap on his association with the Steinway Street BID. He fights with the landlords constantly. He is heartsick about he sees happening to the street.

Next time you see him ask him about the fire sometime in the 50's. We lived on 41st and were heartsick to see the damage to that fine store.

bushynose · « **Reply #15 on:** March 17, 2009, 09:29:29 PM »

I still have my GI Joe jeep form the Big A store where the broadway trade fair is now. there was also a 5 and 10 store aka gt lawe between crescent and 29th street where blockbuster is now had gi joes also. olympus used to be a key food.

LR · « **Reply #16 on:** March 27, 2009, 02:59:02 PM »

This site is like a refresher course in history for me. Sokol's Toy Store was a land mark in the 50's. Since my mother was the cashier at the Astoria Movie. On the weekends she would take me to work with her I really enjoyed her job I saw alot of movies. On the way home we could always stop in Sokol's. Bought my Fanner 50 There. Hot cowbay gun of the time. Thanks for the moemory jolt.

The Old Fox · « **Reply #17 on:** December 07, 2010, 01:59:58 AM »

Quote from: AlexNYC on January 21, 2009, 08:35:14 PM

I remember the hobby shop from the late 1970s which was on 30th Avenue just off 37th Street, next door to where there is currently a grocery/convenience store. I think it was open for about 2 years (1979-1980?) I bought a few models kits there myself. The other hobby shop which is still going strong today is Rudy's at 35-16 30th Avenue just off 36th Street, a nice store for most any hobby need, and yes, it used to be a soda shop from the 1950s-early 1980s. They used to also have a sweets section near the front where you can buy various penny candies, gum balls, and even rock candy. The owner Rudy is the same owner who transformed it into a hobby shop, he is very helpful and knowledgeable about most all hobby topics.

Nice article about Rudy in yesterdays amny paper. http://www.amny.com/urbanite-1.812039/astoria-hobby-shop-stays-in-the-game-1.2518829?showAll=true
I remember reading an article in newsday a few years back about him. Where Rudy explained his name is Marvin but since the name of the ice cream parlor was Rudys when he bought it and customers started to call him Rudy, he didn't think it was right to correct them. Real Great Guy. Purchased many a model for my son when he was into them and a few for myself.

gargo · « **Reply #18 on:** December 07, 2010, 07:02:25 AM »

Thanks for posting- Old Fox. We love Rudy's! You're right he is a "Real Great Guy".

lp80 · « **Reply #19 on:** December 09, 2010, 07:31:34 PM »

amazon.com

jojowalker · « **Reply #20 on:** June 05, 2011, 08:06:41 PM »

I worked at Valco's from 1970-72. The manager was Bill who married Stella, a beautiful greek girl from Astoria actually I think she lived on Steinway street. The assistant manager was Anthony Boniciolli who I married in 73. Mary Klaiber, Frank Demato, Gabe, Jeff, another Mary and Clarence who was the stock manager. The Wieners owned it, I think his name was Hyman. He had two sons and they opened down the street a children's furniture shop, Frank Demato was a manger for awhile. I have found Frank Demato over the years, but have not found anyone else..If anyone knew or knows any of these people, please email me..Thanks Joanne

RR Train · « **Reply #21 on:** June 06, 2011, 03:59:57 PM »

My wife has fond memories of Cookie Kingdom that was on Steinway.

Quote from: bushynose on March 17, 2009, 09:29:29 PM

I still have my GI Joe jeep form the Big A store where the broadway trade fair is now. there was also a 5 and 10 store aka gt lawe between crescent and 29th street where blockbuster is now had gi joes also. olympus used to be a key food.

Talk about memories! I loved going to the Big A and 5 & 10 stores on Broadway.

astoria-for-life · « **Reply #22 on:** June 06, 2011, 10:58:36 PM »

Hey RR train - If my memory serves me correctly, wasn't cookie kindom next to the parking lot ( ex school ) right there on steinway?

RR Train · « **Reply #23 on:** June 07, 2011, 08:43:03 AM »

Yes, to the left of the parking lot. My wife's grandmother used to take her there as part of their weekend routine.
Good to read how many of us have fond memories of growing up in the area.

JOHNNY LOCK · « **Reply #24 on:** June 07, 2011, 10:10:51 AM »

Rudys is still open
and sells those old type models
and trains
he is there on wed-sat on 30th ave bet 35-36th street
ask for Marvin
also the woolworths on steinway and 31 st ave had toys
and i think TSS store had toys and or sporting goods
and the 5 and dime on broadway bet 36th-37th street

Ntrain · « **Reply #25 on:** June 08, 2011, 11:41:43 AM »

Quote from: bushynose on March 17, 2009, 09:29:29 PM

I still have my GI Joe jeep form the Big A store where the broadway trade fair is now. there was also a 5 and 10 store aka gt lawe between crescent and 29th street where blockbuster is now had gi joes also. olympus used to be a key food.

I remember the 5 and 10 on Broadway between Crescent and 29th, but don't remember getting toys there. I do remember how much I loved Valco...still remember the smell of that place...I got all of my He-Man action figures there and loved picking Matchbox cars from the little display cases on the front counter.

I remember when Olympus was a supermarket...didn't recall what the name of it was...I do remember that when they went out of business, they shut their doors with all the food inside and became infested with rats. After about a year they opened up the place and all of the rats ran out and infested the neighboring stores.

Does anyone remember when Trade Fair on Broadway and Crescent was an appliance store?

RR Train · « **Reply #26 on:** June 08, 2011, 11:47:46 AM »

Quote from: Ntrain on June 08, 2011, 11:41:43 AM

Does anyone remember when Trade Fair on Broadway and Crescent was an appliance store?

Yes! Years ago ( I was a young 'un then..) it was Big A and there was a hair salon on the corner that Trade Fair expanded into to. Was it Giorgios?..

Sorry to ramble off the Steinway/Toy store topic.

Ntrain · « **Reply #27 on:** June 08, 2011, 02:13:20 PM »

Yes, the hair salon on the corner of Broadway and Crescent was Giorgio's. But it was a Blimpie/Carvel and then a donut shop before Trade Fair took it over.

LR · « **Reply #28 on:** September 05, 2019, 11:52:32 AM »

In the mid 1950's I bought my Fanner 50 at Sokol's. Saved for awhile to get that one.