Lionel Playworld Toy Store Commercial (1987) comments sorted by Best Top New Controversial Q&A Add a Comment The Lionel toy stores (doing business as Lionel Kiddie City, Lionel Playworld, and, until 1990, Lionel Toy Warehouse) were American toy store chains under the ownership of Lionel Corporation. But the Midvale manager and other managers refused to answer any other questions about the closures, referring all inquiries to the corporate headquarters in Philadelphia. 336 - Fuxing. The Logo for playworld was a kangaroo and her joey, funny they got smashed by a giraffe, lol---- Lionel Corporation - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia By the early 1980s, Lionel operated some 150 stores [12], under the names Toy City, Lionel Kiddie City, Lionel Playworld, Lionel Toy Warehouse, and Lionel Toy Town. [21] Unable to reach an agreement for reorganization with its creditors, on June 2, 1993, Lionel announced its intention to liquidate all of its stores and go out of business.[22]. Lionel's departure from Utah's competitive toy market may benefit other retailers. Cowen convinced department stores to incorporate his toy trains in their Christmas displays, linking toy trains to the holiday, and making them popular Christmas presents. Lionel entered financial troubles during the early 1980s recession and filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in February 1982. Beginning in the 1960s Lionel attempted to further diversify into other product lines, such as phonographs, science, weather station and plastics engineering kits while toy train sales continued to decline and with the company enduring a series of management turnovers. Trademark Overview. Early department stores founded in the 19th century and early 20th centuries were revolutionary in their time, and their impact on the retail industry can still be seen today. After switching ownership over the years, the chain went out of business in the late 20th century. In 1992 Lionel attempted to reverse its fortunes by merging with the bankrupt Child World, the United States' #3 toy retailer, but was unable to secure financing. [13] Lionel began making a variety of scientifically oriented, hands-on educational toys, designated "Lionel-Porter." In its segment "Who Made America?," PBS called Wanamaker's department stores "palaces of consumption that turned shopping into an event for ordinary people.". By the early 1970s, the Zayre chain had more than 200 locations across the country. For a time it was the second-largest toy store chain in the United States. Hours of operation not available for this business. Yet, from increased competition to overly ambitious mergers to an inability to adapt to the changing times, many of those stores have been forced to close their doors. Unfortunately, they were never able to reclaim the market share they once held in the toy industry and by 1958 reported a net loss of $469,057. The first W.T. Our park equipment has more rugged details and finishes that will help it stand up to heavy-duty use. Lionel Playworld is a very popular website offering gift vouchers and eGift Cards to the people of the United States. Toy trains and model railroads were its main claim to fame. The family-owned local firm suffered three slow years, but last year Christmas sales improved and 1991 looks even better, Hammond said. My family didn't move to AZ until the end of 1980 and they didn't have such stores in the po-dunk town of Fond du Lac, WI, that I lived in before that. It was founded as an electrical novelties company. K . USA Store Fanon Wikia is a FANDOM Lifestyle Community. Mc Crorys or Woolworths, Waldenbooks and playing games at Gold Mine or Tilt. For a time it was the second-largest toy store chain in the United States. It was a small chain of sporting goods stores based in New Jersey, which became Lionel Morsan. Ernst Law Group: California Brain Injury Resources, Lisa Murray, Marriage and Family Therapist. 1,790 posts, read 1,245,674 times Reputation: 981. Wanamaker created large-scale seasonal sales, money-back guarantee, and a fixed-priced system. The interiors, while different, were also pulled from various DC comics from early 1981. Lionel also began to offer trains in a wider variety of road names and colors and with improved graphics that were not previously available during the postwar period. Corporate spokesman Joel Weiner said it is the company's policy to refer all calls to him, but he also refused to comment. This is the toy and hobby aisle of a NYC drugstore in 1974, I can't tell you many cool toys I bought at a drug store. The shop, though only 2,000 square feet, was right next to an AMC movie theater and Lionel Playworld in a high-profile area in Mesa. We had several Playworlds but the Lionel name was unattached and had a smiling globe with a hat instead of the kangaroo. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. Its model trains are still in production as a separate company. Had that been the case, it was a short-lived greatness: Lionel's 1955 sales were some $23 million, while rival Marx's toy (more than just trains) sales were $50 million. Organizing or finding the circular pages and . Lionel sold 12 examples of the Electric Express.[5]. Lionel Corporation was an American toy manufacturer and holding company of retailers that had been in business for over 120 years. Find salaries. Or, where did you used to find them? Kiddie City Toy Stores were started in the 1960s. The Kiddie City chain, which is remembered for its kangaroo mascot, was primarily known for its trains and catchphrases like "Toy Capital of the World" and "Turn that Frown Upside Down.". A spokeswoman said Stein Mart will open in the former Lionel Playworld location on University Drive, just south of Broward Boulevard. See Lionel, LLC. After reducing itself in size to 55 stores, it emerged from bankruptcy in September 1985. Each comic has the same cover art, but the background colors and the three-issue interiors are different for each book. All Rights Reserved. none. I grew up in Long Island, NY. DC had a similar deal with Lionel Playworld and produced a similar five-issue series with them. Email acain@businessinsider.com. "When the Lights Went out at Lionel", Liebeck, Laura: "Deja vu all over again: Lionel re-visits Chapter 11", Discount Store News July 8, 1991, "Liquidations leave Toy's R US, Kay-Bee toying alone", Discount Store News, July 5, 1993, "Lionel Leisure 'branches out': toy retailer acquires part ownership of closeouter", Discount Store News, September 17, 1990, Liebeck, Laura: "Child World is grounded: rescue by Lionel falters", Discount Store News, August 3, 1992, "Lionel closing 27 stores in struggle for survival", Discount Store News, February 1, 1993, Last edited on 23 December 2022, at 14:49. For a time it was the second-largest toy store chain in the United States. Efforts to increase train set profitability and/or sales by cheaper manufacture (largely by replacing castings and folded sheet metal with unpainted injected-molded colored plastic) were largely unsuccessful; 1957 was Lionel's last profitable post-war year. The manager of the Midvale store said he expects to clear all of his store's inventory within 60 days. Park-specific features: Playworld creates playground equipment for a variety of locations, from schools to churches and more. Meta Pay [6], Lionel ceased toy production in 1942 to produce nautical items for the United States Navy during World War II. 335 - Daxi. Find jobs. Was formerly a Kmart store. 1111 Rochester Lane, Tacoma, WA - (opened July 17, 2015) - Has a a Justice & Brothers section. Lionel Kiddie City, Lionel Playworld, and Lionel Toy Warehouse. [8], By the 1920s, Lionel had overcome Ives to become the market leader, selling metal trains with colourful paint schemes. She returned Monday with 5-year-old Jeffrey in tow, buying the requested items at generally lower prices. They were busy snatching up marked-down items. After reducing itself in size to 55 stores, it emerged from bankruptcy in September 1985. [5] The trains were considered a luxury item, and at the height of the Depression, one of Lionel's more extravagant locomotives cost as much as a used Ford Model T. In an effort to compete with companies which were willing to undercut Lionel's prices without diluting its premium Lionel and Ives brands, Lionel introduced a line of inexpensive electric toy trains under the Winner Toys' or Winner Toy Corp. brand name, which were sold from 1930 to 1932. 2. Lynels can be found with one of three different weapon sets: the Lynel Sword & Shield, the Lynel Spear, and the Lynel Crusher. By the early 1980s, Lionel operated some 150 stores, under the names Toy City, Lionel Kiddie City, Lionel Playworld, Lionel Toy Warehouse, and Lionel Toy Town. Let Lionel (Kiddie City/Playworld) turn that frown upside down! Kiddie City Toy Stores were started in the 1960s. All submitted reviews are held for editor approval to ensure that the content is approriate for our website visitors and meets our comminuty content standards. Lionel ran into financial trouble during the early 1980s recession and filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in February 1982. Auto Racing & Speedways - Long Sleeve Tees, Department & Discount Stores - Long Sleeve Tees, Department & Discount Stores - Raglan Tees, Department & Discount Stores - Sweatshirts, Home Improvement Stores - Long Sleeve Tees. Osterhoff, Robert J. ", Read more: 'Stranger Things'' new season features a slew of iconic stores that no longer exist. Susan Datz Edelman, who handles investor . By February 1993 Lionel had closed all but 29 stores in six states, concentrating on the markets of Philadelphia, central New Jersey, Baltimore, Washington, D.C., Cleveland, Ohio and south Florida. Access your favorite topics in a personalized feed while you're on the go. The national toy-store chain, Lionel Playworld, will soon close its four Utah stores in Salt Lake City, Midvale, Provo and Ogden. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for 1982 PLAYWORLD / PLAYMATES WIND-UP CHOO-CHOO TRAIN at the best online prices at eBay! Lionel Kiddie City is an American toy store chain under the ownership of Lionel, LLC. In 1930, Lionel's operating profit dropped to $82,000 - its operating profit in 1927 had been more than $500,000 - and in 1931, it lost $207,000. -. The starting price for a set, which included a transformer, was $3.25. The Midvale store has been in business for more than 10 years. Ohio Valley Galleria, Stubenville, Ohio - (opened March 7, 1986) - One of the mall's original tenants. #RetroToyStores #FL #Kaycee #LionelKiddieCity #LionelToyWarehouse #LionelToyCity #LionelToyTown (photo by Stephen Lee, Remembering LIONEL Playworld & Kiddie City toy stores, Facebook)" When John Wanamaker opened one of the first department stores in the US in 1874 in Philadelphia, he had profound effects on the retail industry's advertising and marketing practices. The Lionel Santa Fe 2333 Diesel locomotive, an EMD F3 in the colorful Santa Fe "Warbonnet" paint scheme that was introduced in 1948, became the Lionel company icon and the icon of the era, and the 2343, 2383, and 2353 Santa Fe F3's even improved on it. Instead, the public approached store owners about buying trains, prompting Lionel to begin making toy trains for the general public. Products; Get Started; Hobbyists; Find A Dealer; Lionel Store; Support; Facebook; YouTube; Instagram; Pinterest; Twitter; Subscribe to e-mails.