Andy Tolch's Toyland Includes Star Wars, Tonka Trucks and Matchbox Cars

You can get your Star Wars on at Andy's Toys, 960 Gravois Road in Affton. Or, if you prefer original Matchbox cars or Tonka trucks, Andy's Toys has those, too.

Andy's Toys, owned and operated by Andy Tolch, is filled with antique playthings, many in their original packaging, and there are a variety of old baseball trading cards and other baseball items, as well.

Tolch's most unique item is an old large-scale Buddy L train. He says there are only a few of the Buddy L train sets in St. Louis, and he has one. Ironically, his business neighbor, Rodney's Trains & Toys, also has a Buddy L set. And just as Tolch mixes in some train sets with his toys, Rodney Dreifuss has many toys in and around the model trains and accessories he sells.

Tolch's shop is packed with many of the toys we grew up with, including the aforementioned Star Wars items, cars, trucks, Disney items and children's books and games. Many of his finds are from estate sales, where Tolch picks up the odd item now and then. There are no elves in the back room cranking out his merchandise.

Tolch actively seeks to buy vintage toys, paying cash for toy cars, trucks, trains and baseball items. He will even make house calls to obtain the best vintage merchandise for his store. "We are always buying Metalcraft trucks," he said. 

Andy's Toys is open from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays and is closed on Wednesday. Hours are by appointment on Fridays. As for Sundays, Tolch says the store is open "by chance or by appointment."

For more information about Andy's Toys, call 314-503-5869 or visit andystoys.com