Ironically, even with having 2 young grandchildren, I don't usually have the occasion to enter a toy store. I typically make online purchases, but with ONCE UPON A TIME TOYS, how could I avoid it? I love the store name, and it was right there in front of me in quaint, charming Stowe, VT, so I went in. There were a great many unique toys, games and children's gift ideas at this store, but it was overwhelming to me. The sales associate was very friendly, so I asked her what she'd recommend for a 1 year old girl and something "Spiderman" for my 4 year old grandson. She immediately presented me with a cloth doll, and a little boat with Spiderman in it that when wound up in water (like in a bathtub), it would zoom across the water. I took them both !! My granddaughter was interested for a few minutes and moved on to something else because she's only 1. I'm quite certain the little doll will have greater appeal to her as she gets older. My grandson was soooooooo taken with his Spiderman boat that he broke it before getting to test it out in the actual water. He's 4, and listening to directions is not part of his skill set yet, lol. Regardless, if we're ever back up in Stowe, VT, I'm sure we'd return to this store to see what else we could find for my grandchildren !! Great little store with lots of unique toys for kids !! read more

The owners were so sweet and engaging my children loved talking and playing with her as she showed them some of the options. They have a wonderful selection of different toys! read more

Great local old fashioned toy store in the center of Stowe near Remarkable Things. There are options for kids of all ages and it isn't the standard stuff you find at larger stores. read more

Once Upon A Time is one of those neat toy shops you don't find much of anymore. They have all the classics like playmobile, doll houses, board games, wooden trains, etc. Whenever I need a gift for a friend or family member's kid I come to a place like this for something you'd never find at the mall or WalMart. It was next door to the place I was staying, and I was hoping to find a board game or card game to play over the weekend. They had a nice selection of learning games, being a toy store they were mostly focused at young kids instead of teenagers/adults. I debated over a few card and dice games, and finally went with a nice set of dominoes (comes in a wooden box, each domino has brass weights in it!) I've never played dominoes but always wanted to. The owner was very friendly, we joked in camaraderie about our mutual scrabble and jigsaw puzzle addictions. Definitely the place to take your family for a gift when in Stowe. Want to get your son a toy car? Don't go to a tourist trap and get him some hunk of plastic, stop by here and get a solar powered car he has to build. Want to get your daughter a toy cook set? Don't get it at the mall, stop by here and get one that comes with a real cookbook! read more

This is one of those local toy stores that is stocked floor-to-ceiling with the most exciting, unique, and fun toys you've ever seen. It makes you feel like a kid again just going back. read more

This is a really sweet store, with a great selection of unique toys, games and other fun finds. We went in looking for a toy for a 7-year old and walked out with brain teasers, clever matryoshkas and binoculars, after spending lots of time just wandering around. The owner was very helpful and patient, keeping the store open just for us - we didn't realize it got so late, and she never rushed us. Great place to go and feel like a kid read more

This store is full ( a bit crowded ) of a variety of unique toys. I am from out of town and wandered in looking for something for my two young boys. I was not greeted and the two employees ( I am going to guess one is the owner ) were busy trying to decide where to put more displays in the crowded store. Although I was impressed with the unique toys and some books most were dusty. Aside from the sub- par customer service and dusty toys it was a nice small town toy store. read more