Beloved Toy Store, Mary Arnold Toys, Moves After 19 Years

Mary Arnold Toys, a store known for its seemingly endless array of games, puzzles and stuffed animals, is moving after 19 years on Lexington Avenue between 72nd and 73rd streets.

Mary Arnold has long been a first thought for people looking to buy a child a gift. It bills itself as "New York's oldest continuously operating toy store," and sells both modern toys and old-fashioned ones.

An employee who wished to remain nameless told Patch today that the store is moving because their lease is up. Their new location, which will be on Lexington Avenue between 80th St. and 81st St., is smaller and has less window space, so rent will be lower.

Because they will have less space, Mary Arnold is having a clearance sale right now in order to sell products they cannot fit in the new store before they move uptown at the end of July.

Mary Arnold has always had elaborate windows stuffed with toys, and the employee said they will try to maintain this despite having less window space.

Before their location between 72nd St. and 73rd St., Mary Arnold was between 70th and 71st streets for 65 years.

When asked about the move, the employee said, “We're all excited … it's a fresh new start.”

The owners were not immediately available for comment.

Photo credit: Eliza Rubin/Patch