Peng Wins Ar Cul
This is the Christmas window display at my old neighborhood toy store, Sweet Dreams. It’s incredible that this store has survived 35+ years in the face of toy retailer consolidation, but this is a credit both to the store’s inventory policies (plastic franchise toys held to a minimum, lots of personality in displays and a top-notch childrens’ book section) and to the good shoppers of Berkeley.
It helps to have window displays with such character, too. With the demise of the neighborhood merchant in favor of mass merchants, the fanciful window display is coming to be something of a lost art with Macy’s holding a monopoly on the public consciousness of what makes a great window. (Kittens & puppies, apparently…)
This isn’t the greatest photo, but explaining a little detail here goes a long way. This is a penguin’s kitchen. On the fridge is a To-Do List that includes “Cooking” and “Make friends with polar bears.” The big polar bear and penguin are slicing vegetables to go on the stove at left. Penguins and bears of all ages frolic at the “kids tables” in the foreground.
Question: why does Google give the link to Toys R Us when I search for Sweet Dreams? That’s a nasty prank. And why a web site for Sweet Dreams’ sister candy store (not nearly as fun) and not the toy store?
Berkeley Daily Planet: As Toys ‘R Us Downsizes, Local Toy Stores Thrive
