VALLEY WEEKEND : Stores Take Sticker Shock Out of Buying Toys
For many of us, this is the one time of year when we are faced with purchasing toys. Because we do this so infrequently, there is the inevitable sticker shock when we go shopping. So for those seeking some comfort and joy this holiday season, especially those who belong to an organization, there is good news to report: The prices at L.E.C. World Traders in Burbank won’t shock you, I promise.
Upon entry, pick up an organization discount card and fill it out, including the name of whatever group you belong to--religious, social or business--and you’ll realize 40% to 50% off retail prices.
The Stunt Boss, a radio-controlled car by Playskool that does backflips and somersaults among other tricks, retails for about $100, but here it goes for $53. The crash-car racing set called Rapid Shot has pretty much the same appeal, and at $29.95 is more than half off the retail of $64.
For the future moms of the world, there’s a savings of $34 on a Little Tyke kitchen, and a doll highchair is only $12 (retail $28). An interactive product from Tiger, called Battle-Vision, is impressive and a real deal at $25 (retail $70). You aim laser beams at your TV set, the TV fights back and the whole family can get into the fray. How do you like it so far?
L.E.C. World Traders, 249 1st St., Burbank; (818) 295-3794.
*
For some wonderful deals on collector dolls, head to Sherman Oaks and check out the Doll Shoppe. A Girl Scout doll by Marian Yu retails for $70 but here is $35. And a charming 26-inch ruffled clown that plays “Bring In the Clowns” is $49.95, which is 50% off the retail price.
For opera buffs, the $135 retail Jack-in-the-Box dolls with music from “Rigoletto,” “Carmen” and others sell for $89.95. Next door in The Doll Shoppe’s Holiday Store, there’s a good supply of quality stuffed animals ranging from $10 to $40 off regular retail prices.
The Doll Shoppe, 13749 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks; (818) 784-3655.
Inteliplay offers toys that focus on a child’s creativity and intellectual growth, and has a staff who will explain and demonstrate products. This is the store for those concerned more about the type of toy rather than its cost.
One very popular item is Illustory, a $20 package of art and writing materials that subsequently becomes a hardcover bound book of whatever your child writes and draws . . . and that $20 includes the shipping. This gets my vote for the best toy of the year.
Inteliplay, (main store) 14425 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks; (818) 906-2133, with other locations in Porter Ranch and Woodland Hills.
WEEKEND SUPER SALE: At Shanes Jewelry in Westwood, a pre-holiday sale starts today and goes through Dec. 23. Prices on some fine quality jewelry, much of which is made on the premises, will be reduced 20% to 60% off already discounted prices. A good example is a two-carat sapphire ring set in gold that regularly sells here for $300 but today sells for $125. Shanes Jewelry, 1065 Broxton Ave., Westwood. (310) 208-8404.
