What's New in November 2025?

We received an absolutely massive shipment from Douglas Cuddly Plush. This was the single biggest order we've ever made. It is always such a joy to open this shipment and see the many ways they've outdone themselves. I was wowed in particular by the iridescence of the fur on the black labs. You cannot beat their attention to detail at this price point.

The Big Douglas Rack and 6 Very Cute Plush Birds

We now carry Project Genius as our wooden puzzle company. They hooked us up with a very handsome display. They have some very ingenious designs.

Brainteasers include wooden, wire, lockpicking, and a bunch of other unique designs.

We just received a huge Arts & Crafts shipment. Here are some highlights...

Some great stocking stuffers: Drawing sets, Henna, and Jagua

More great stocking stuffers: Origami paper, paint sticks, face paint, and hair chalk

Paint By Number Sets and Plastic Model Kits

I was excited to get Model Kits, but unfortunately our supply is extremely limited.

We're always getting new Blind Boxes. We received both a Toki Doki shipment and a Smoko shipment last month. We just got a shipment from 52Toys and ToyCity. And we're expecting a shipment from Japan's Yell. I hope the Donguri Tanks ship this time (squirrels in little acorn tanks).

"Kewpie in a Cup" by Smoko and "Laura Cyberpunk" by ToyCity

We are not ordering Labubu. There are so many better collectibles. Please stop calling us.

We also have a ton of Squishy Fidget Things, including Nee-Doh and Taba Squishies. We plan on ordering more.

Big "Mush Meez" Taba Squishies and "Suction Octopus"

We currently have a huge selection Hot Wings Diecast Aircraft. There were some hefty price increases, but at $11.00 we're still much cheaper than Amazon.

We're also selling the Hangar and Control Towers

Our Science / STEM section is nearly full. Here are some recent re-stocks...

Fitzroy's Stormglass, Galileo Thermometer, Foucault's Pendulum, and FizzRockets

And our Nature section is looking good. We keep adding more and more ID Guides.

In addition to our usual cheapo stickers we now have some high quality Vinyl Stickers...

Extra long and regular styles

We have a ton of classics. Pictured below are Tin Kaleidoscopes, Metal Gyroscopes, Magic 8 Balls, Weazel Balls, Metal Slinkies, and Sea Monkeys.

We also have Wooly Willy, ColorForms, Lava Lamps, and 100 other classics

I'm still teaching Hong Kong Mahjong Classes at the store. It sure is fun. 

Starting November 22 I'm going to have to take a break from lessons. For the 6 weeks that make up the Holiday Season we don't have any free time to spare. I could resume classes as early as January 2nd. I'm really hoping we can get some regular meetups going in 2026.

We just ordered a ton of stocking stuffers like fidgets, squishies, pranks, and other novelties. We also just ordered some silicone constructions sets that I'm very excited about. We're expecting some more puzzles and games, but those shipments seem to be backed up.

This week we're ordering books, which is always an overwhelming task.

Alton Main Street's First Fridays is on November 7th, so we'll be open until 8pm that day.

Thanksgiving Day is on November 27th. We'll be closed, but I'll probably be working that night.

And then the Holiday Season is upon us. We don't have our hours set in stone yet, but we're going to be open every day.

I'll post another update before Black Friday.

~David