Next Wednesday, July 15, New York City will bid goodbye to FAO Schwarz, the iconic toy store that has become a staple of Fifth Avenue for locals and tourists alike since its inception in 1892. Known for its grandeur and popularized in Tom Hanks’ 1988 hit “Big,” FAO Schwarz solidified itself as a must-visit spot over the years with its Big Piano dance mat and cheery décor.
As is the unfortunate fate of many retail stores in Manhattan these days, the rent at FAO Schwarz’s prime Fifth Avenue location is forcing the toy megastore to close up shop. While we await the announcement of its new location — the store’s official closing statement says “it is actively searching for another location in midtown Manhattan” (though it’s rumored the store has chosen a new location north of Times Square) — New York Family has rounded up five alternative big city toy stores which are definitely more than placeholders.
