It was a terrible experience. I bought a toy for my 8 month old and the lights and sounds were too bright/loud for him. We didn't even have the toy for 24 hours. I carefully placed the toy back in the box and took it back thinking I would be able to exchange it-no exchanges allowed the man told me after talking with one of the owners. I could hear the woman in the phone-so rude, so inconsiderate. What?? It hasn't even been used. I left the toy there I was so irate. They just lost a neighborhood customer. read more

I have been here a few times and they are very helpful. The service reminds me of how it used to be when I was a kid. The people who work there really know their inventory. Gift wrapping is free! read more

Came in here at around 5, instead of being greeted I was told they were closing in two minutes even though their site said they close at 6:30. My partner and I have both had experience closing retail stores and know that is not how to go about it. Instead of buying something like I had been planning to do for the past few weeks we decided to leave as we felt rushed before even getting to look around. This is not the first time I have been to this store and it has been closed over an hour before the labeled close time. Overall, would not recommend this location regardless of the selection the staff has VERY bad energy. If you want to close before 6:30, change your hours. read more

The nicest toy store!! The shop isn't much appearance wise but they have an excellent selection of toys and plus, the woman who worked there (owns it?) was super sweet to us!! She offered us suggestions and even showed concern and shared kind words for my daughter after I said we were there post doctors appointment to pick out a fun treat. We got a really cute Very Hungry Catterpillar educational toy that she has been loving and we will definitely be back for some more shopping! Highly recommend. read more

Great store! The two women working there were super sweet and helped me pick out gifts for my little cousins. The prices are reasonable and they also wrapped the toys for me as well. Will definitely be back! read more

This is a really good toy store. What sets it apart from other stores in the neighborhood is the customer service. When we got to the store we told the sales person who we were buying the gift for and she directed us to the appropriate area. No fuss no muss. The prices are fairly reasonable and the selection is broad. read more

Really fantastic selection of unique, quality kids' toys. I especially love the adorable Eeboo games and kits they carry, their Usbourne activity books, and their Kathe Kruse baby toys. They have a wider range of Calico Critters here than I've seen anywhere else. Several reviews mention awkward interactions with staff--some have made particular note of brusk interactions with two of the women behind the counter. My inference after several visits and overheard conversations is that these two employees have Autism spectrum disorders, and are the twin daughters of the store's owner or manager. Their manner may be more direct that you'd get with a different employee, but they've been helpful and eager any time I'm in the store; I'd urge a little patience if they happen to push your buttons. In any case, the selection of toys here is really wonderful and worth the visit. read more

Terrible experience. My son got gifts here for his birthday and when I tried to exchange for something else, they said they don't do returns because of "covid 19". Never heard of such a thing, especially when we know covid doesn't spread from objects, and this was an unopened box. Don't shop here the experience was terrible. I tried to support a small local business but I'd rather shop on amazon and get free returns. read more

This place is amazing. Just ask they will help you choose just the right thing. Beautiful wrapping paper. Great cards and things for the tweens & teens in your life. Check it out read more

Homboms is a great little (and I do mean little, it's only 2 aisles) toy store on the Upper East side. The staff is very friendly and helpful and the store makes up for its small size by packing the shelves FULL of toys. It's difficult to get a stroller through the store, but I've never seen more than 3 other people in the store at the same time, so it's typically ok. It has a ramp, so it is wheelchair accessible, but not if you have a particularly wide wheelchair. I will say that it isn't the cheapest toy store I've been to. I think they fall victim to the high price of real estate where they are located and have to charge more because of that. However, it's cheaper than getting in a taxi to go to Toys R Us in Time Square! Due to its size, it doesn't have the huge collection of toys that a Toys R Us or FAO Schwarz would have, but this isn't a tourist attraction either. It's a small toy store serving its local community. They do have a very nice and large collection of "crafty" stuff for kids. If the kid you are shopping for likes to do arts and crafts, this is a great place to check out. read more

While it's a small store, I do like the proximity to our home and the a good range of products that they carry. The staff is proactive and helpful for the most part (you can always decline their help w/ a smile). With my daughter, we needed to replace a mini rainbow loom as she was making gifts for friends & family. One of their staff dismissed her curtly - "we don't carry them because Rainbow looms are not IN anymore". While we understand that products come & go - I thought it was a very disrespectful comment to a youngster who really enjoys designing her own bracelets & charms. If this review helps their mgt team beef up their staff's client interactions skills - great ! If not, we will spend our time and money elsewhere. Not a problem. read more

Stopped by here with my child and the guy who worked there was so rude. He kept looking at us and when my child (well-behaved) went to grab a doll to look at it, he rudely told her to not touch! I told him he was out of line and also spoke with the older woman working the register and she basically just brushed me off and said she trusted his judgment and actions and she didn't like how some children tried to touch things! Unbelievable. My child was only grabbing it gently to take a closer look. These people are crazy. Don't ever go to this kind of trashy place. read more

A word to the wise: do not enter the lottery to win a "free" photo session. You'll win, and then pay thousands of dollars for your photos. You don't have to, of course. But you won't be able to leave your photos behind, either. So just beware. read more

Awesome little toy store on UES & the GIFT WRAP!!! Which saves your life when you are in pinch. Good selection of kids toys, some adult board games, (wish they would have more), also some park toys, but they really could have a 'central park' section and that would be a hit!! Great customer service, super helpful. I will def be back. read more

The owner here is the meanest woman I've ever met. I told her I was a teacher for the 10% discount and she needed credentials. I did not have any on me, so I showed her videos of me with my students. Then she said oh you are a teacher! Then I asked to receive my 10% on a purchase I made one minute before this convo and she refused. Then told me I'm not even a real teacher because I teach at a charter school. She was nasty and spoke to her customers and employees very rudely. Never coming back. read more

Great toy store on the Upper East Side. Always friendly and helpful. Free gift wrapping is available with purchase. Very good variety for all ages. read more

EXTREMELY rude people. I called at 6:14 to ask if they were still open and they said they were open till 6:30. I indicated I was a block away and they said "yep. 6:30." And hung up on me. Then I showed up at 6:19. It was closed. They did not pick up my calls. Just the rudeness was so uncalled for. I've heard they're really racist but still was willing to give them a shot. I wouldn't try everyone! read more

I have walked past Hombom Toys plenty of times, and finally went in as I needed a gift for my goddaughter. Yes, it's small, and yes, it's not cheap, but c'mon, commercial rent runs by square foot. You really think this place is killing it in profits? Giggle, Sprout, now those are different animals, and I'm not sure I'd give them four stars. I like Hombom because they have a good selection of quality toys - it's clear that somebody thought about what's going on the shelves. Yes, Toys R Us is a bigger store, but have you ever seen the crap that they stock? Quality beats quantity when it comes to toys. I found a cute toy, and when I price compared later out of curiosity, it was not much cheaper on Amazon. I'll gladly pay the small premium for the convenience of a local neighborhood toy store, independently owned, with good product. The icing on the cake was free gift wrap - I didn't even need to ask for it, in fact the clerk asked me if I wanted it. He didn't say it was free - it was like a "of course we'll gift wrap it, and no, we don't charge for that" sort of thing. I got the feeling of good service, which is so lacking these days. There I go sounding like some old man! Anyway, Hombom is small, but I like it. There's something I can't put my finger on that's holding back the fifth star, but nonetheless, I'll be back. read more

Avoid this store. The owner and staff are extremely rude and discourteous to customers - as well as racist. They made fun of my son's "chinky" eyes. When I called to complain about the incident, the owner did not take my complaint seriously. This type of behavior is unacceptable and indecent and I will never do business with this store again. read more

I walked out of the store when the guy behind the counter was rude. Cute toys but I was not going to give the shop my money with that kind of attitude. read more

Really cute neighborhood toy store with an extensive selection of toys and crafts. It looks small from outside, but it's actually quite deep. Very friendly staff and free gift-wrapping and tagging, which is a huge plus. They also carry balloons! I have a feeling we will be making plenty of stops here on our way to birthday parties. Just wish they had a larger selection in the way of books... read more

Great toy store. Popped in here to get a last minute gift for a birthday party and I was in/out with a wrapped gift in less than 5 minutes. The owners are definitely strange and, like a prior reviewer, they made a comment about my daughter's asian eyes...but I actually think they are just socially bizarre/awkward/off vs rude. read more

Our neighborhood toy store - convenient, good assortment of toys for all ages and they offer free gift wrapping! The shop owner is always friendly and helpful. Great little neighborhood store. Will be back for sure!!! read more

#1 place for emergency balloons on UES. #2 is rainbow ace. Great and super friendly staff. Relevant toys. Great for baby gifts!!!

I live in the neighborhood and am so grateful to have this handy store so close. The guys in the store are always helpful and have great suggestions. I'm in and out in time and always will a free gift wrap. read more

Went into this toy store to exchange a birthday gift my grandson received. I had the sticker from their gift wrap. I was told that without their sticker on the actual box, they would not take it back. I did not want money, refund or credit just wanted to exchange. I asked how they knew that every single gift going out the door would get the sticker and was told "maybe yes, maybe no but we will not take it back!" read more

I rely on this little toy shop for all my kids birthday parties. The staff have great recommendations for all ages and they wrap the presents for you! The place is a gem! read more

Terrible service - rude and unhelpful . I have been shopping at the upper east side toy store since it opened . Mostly due to convenience . The staff is always pushy . Recently I had an experience were I was overcharged by $300 . They would not refund my account immediately and it took. 5 days for them to release te funds from my account . They could have cancelled the transaction according to bank but they refused . Though it is convenient there are plenty of other options for toys on the upper east side . I will never shop there again . read more

Great little store for last minute holiday/birthday shopping. Though its small, they do actually have a large and varied inventory. Terribly overpriced, but so is everything in NYC so not surprised. There hours are not great unless you are a stay-at-home mom or have nothing better to do between the hours of 9 to 5, but I will forgive them of this as I've always found good gifts here! read more