Our Readers Write

To the editor,

Just finished reading the new issue of Playthings. Excellent! The large size is just perfect with a new and fresh format. Great content as always. Liked your editorial, “It's about the toys…,” which addressed the sale of the ITC.

Memories are made of all of those things that have happened in the past, but the dynamic toy business must move on and transform. The industry has gone through many transformations and will continue to do so, as that is also the nature of our customer base. My memories of Toy Fair at the Toy Center will always be with me: racing between floors to appointments (up and down stairs or crowded elevators, with plenty of jokes), across the ninth floor bridge catching a glimpse of snow falling, or watching the toy fair parade, reading stories of toy industry heroes and heroines, meeting people from all over the world who shared their interest in toys, finding special new products in wonderful showrooms filled with amazing products and savvy salespeople. I remember years ago deals were made on a handshake and that was all that was ever needed. Times change and that is not always good or easy. We have been blessed over the 35 years to know so many wonderful people who cared deeply about toys and the children who played with them. I will miss the special place that was the hub of the toy industry for so many years.

Hope one day a new “Toy Industry Clubhouse” will be reborn somewhere (hopefully in New York City) and will be a fun, fanciful and fully productive place. Hmm! Wonder what that place would look like? Memories will never fade as we move forward to the future and the next phase of toy industry progress.

—Stevanne Auerbach, PhD/Dr. Toy

To the editors:

Thank you for broadening the coverage of the ITC issue.

It would not be a bad thing to be housed in the 34th Street area near the new Gift Building and close to the children's fashion mart.

Thanks for your coverage.

—Diane Creston, Creston & Associates Ltd.

Friday, April 1, was very sad with many of the people responsible for making 200 5th one of the most magical buildings in the City. After I said thank you to the women that clean our office, they broke into tears expressing how much they loved it.

Certain employees and cleaning crew have remained on board and passed on a severance package. One nice 70 year old plus gentleman Stanley is responsible for making the building is beautiful as it is. He has been cleaning here for over 23 years and filled with stories. He just didn't want to quit. An article about him and others should be written and let them know we all say thanks.

—Roger Dreyer CEO, Fantasma

Dear Editor,

I just read Playthings article titled “Hey, look at this. I made it myself”.

What a great article! I loved reading about the classes and crafting events offered by a variety of retailers.

The only retailer missing was Michaels (with the exception of the Klutz mention).

Michaels Arts and Crafts is the leader in class program offerings and special events. We partner very closely with our vendors to make classes, demos and specialty craft offerings a reality in our 849 stores across the United States and Canada.

We would love to be included in future articles! We actually have an entire department dedicated to In-Store Events and would be glad to supply you with any information you might need.

Thanks,

Suzy Cravens, Manager In-Store Events, Michaels