SOLON, Ohio — From kids testing toys at demo tables to adults rediscovering childhood favorites like yo-yos and Etch A Sketch, a trip to Sir Troy’s Toy Kingdom is designed to spark imagination.
The 13,000-square-foot Solon toy store carries more than 20,000 unique items, hosts free family events, and recently even welcomed a film crew shooting scenes for an upcoming Christmas movie.
The business traces its roots back more than two decades. Heather Marks, vice president of Sir Troy’s Toy Kingdom, said the company began with founder Troy’s passion for LEGO.
“Sir Troy’s Toy Kingdom has been providing quality imagination-powered toys for over 20 years,” Marks said. “What originated out of Troy’s basement and love of LEGO has grown into some of the nation’s largest toy stores.”
Today, the business operates three locations in Northeast Ohio, including Solon, Canton, and Strongsville.
Marks said the Solon location, which opened in 2021, is the smallest of the stores but still sizable.
“The Solon store is actually the smallest in the ‘Kingdom.’ It is 13,000 sq ft,” Marks said. “When we opened the location in 2021, it was the largest independent toy store in Ohio.”
Across all three locations, the store carries thousands of items with new inventory arriving regularly.
“Currently, we have 20,662 unique items in stock in the ‘Kingdom’ with more coming in daily,” Marks said. “We are always receiving shipments.”
Unlike big box stores or online retailers, Marks said Sir Troy’s focuses on toys that encourage creativity and hands-on play.
“We are a locally owned and operated store and still considered a small independent specialty retailer,” Marks said.
She added that shopping in person often leads customers to discover unexpected toys.
“Being a physical brick-and-mortar store provides a much more in-depth and satisfying experience than an online retailer,” Marks said. “In our stores, you are bound to discover things you didn’t even know existed.”
Staff members often demonstrate toys and offer suggestions to shoppers looking for something new.
“Our amazing team members won’t just point you to an aisle in a ‘toy department,’ but will excitedly show you some of their favorite suggestions,” Marks said. “It’s not even unheard of to see our store manager yo-yo’ing in the store.”
One area where the store stands out is its extensive LEGO selection. In addition to boxed sets, the store carries loose bricks to help customers complete builds or create custom projects.
“If you are missing a piece from a LEGO set or are doing a custom build and need something unique, we have someone on staff who can help you with that,” Marks said.
The store also hosts several free events throughout the year. Marks said these activities give families a chance to participate in fun experiences without spending money.
“Giving back is also important to us, so we host several free events in-store,” Marks said.
Each month, the store hosts a free LEGO Minifig Swap and a Pokémon card trading event. At the end of March, the store plans to host a free craft activity featuring Schleich figures. Other activities planned later in the year include a Breyer horse painting and a LEGO Make and Take.
When it comes to popular toys, Marks said a few items are currently in especially high demand.
“Anyone with a middle schooler will say, ‘NeeDoh!’” she said.
Marks said the demand has been strong enough to draw crowds before the store even opens.
“We announced on the morning news we had NeeDoh in stock, and by the time we opened, there was a line at the door,” Marks said. “We’ve had lines all week.”
Beyond trending toys, nostalgic favorites remain popular with shoppers.
“Nostalgia items are also fun right now — the Rubiks cube that takes you back, the yo-yo, Mad Libs, an Etch-a-sketch or a slinky,” Marks said. “Sharing something from your childhood with the next generation is special.”
With Easter approaching, Marks said the store carries many items that work well as basket stuffers.
“We are fans of crafts, books, fun fidgets, and classic outdoor toys from kites to bubbles,” Marks said. “Right now, we have a few little animals and Wigglitz that are perfect for Easter eggs and make a fun non-candy option.”
Behind the scenes, the store’s team travels to toy shows around the world to find unique products.
“Our team travels all over the world looking for the most exciting products to bring back to NE Ohio,” Marks said.
She said the company regularly attends the Spielwarenmesse toy fair in Nuremberg, Germany, along with trade shows in Atlanta, New York, and Los Angeles.
“Our buyers range from a 15-year-old to a 57-year-old, so they span a wide demographic, providing something for everyone,” Marks said.
Last month, the Solon store experienced an unexpected moment in the spotlight when a film crew used the location while shooting a Christmas movie.
Marks said the store had to sign a nondisclosure agreement but could share a few details about the experience.
“We did have to sign an NDA, but we are allowed to say it was a Christmas movie,” Marks said.
Filming took place Feb. 25, with crew members arriving early in the morning.
“Filming was on Wednesday, February 25,” Marks said. “The film crew started arriving at 9 a.m. that morning.”
The store remained open during filming, allowing customers to watch the production as it happened.
“Most of our customers were excited to see this happening and very understanding,” Marks said.
She said the filming offered a behind-the-scenes look at how movie sets come together, including some creative tricks to create a winter scene.
“The set team would shovel snow from different areas and place it around the pillars at the front of our building to enhance the winter/Christmas vibe,” Marks said.
Although the film’s title has not yet been revealed, Marks said viewers may recognize the Solon store when the movie airs.
“The toy store scene will be at the beginning of the movie,” she said.
Marks said community support has played a key role in the store’s success.
“As a small business, we depend on the community for support,” Marks said. “The Solon community supports Sir Troy’s Toy Kingdom’s mission through its appreciation of quality, imagination-powered toys.”
She added that the store aims to create a place where people of all ages can enjoy discovering toys.
“We regularly have people from 7 to 70 proclaim we are their new favorite store,” Marks said. “We really have something for everyone.”