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Irving's Toy & Card Shop
Rating Details »
Category: Toy Stores [Edit]
Neighborhood: Coolidge Corner371 Harvard St
Brookline, MA 02446
(617) 566-9327
- Nearest Transit:
-
Summit Ave/winchester St (Green)
- Price Range:
-
$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- No
- Parking:
- Street
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
11 reviews for Irving's Toy & Card Shop
Stared sketchily at the crowded window? Yea... that was me. Walked clumsily into the awning with her umbrella on rainy days? Um yea... that was me too. I must have walked past Irving's several dozens times before I stopped by to pick up a panicky last minute present for my 5 year cousin.
The shop is filled to brimming with all your favorite classics, and I was surprised to find how reasonably priced things were. I was a little weirded out when the sweet old lady pulled out a random plastic bag (with some other store's name on it) to put my loot in, but really, it's kind of cute in a "my grandma would so do the same thing" sort of way. Irving's is absolutely great.
I was born and raised in Brookline, I went to Devo for 6 years before I sadly moved all the way across town and went to another school closer to me. Out of all the things I missed the most, Irving's was at the Top 3. I have such fond memories saving my lunch money to go to Irving's and buy myself some candy and chips, 5,10 cent candies, with $5 dollars, you were a third grade millionaire. The adorable couple that owned the store were always so sweet and nice. They always treated every kid like their own grandkids, it was perfect. the little store on the corner that had all the yummy stuff.. not to mention little fun nick knacks. I miss coming here. I pass it all the time,but never stop by. I bet people new to the Brookline area find it fun and nostalgic, but for kids like us, who grew up with irving's being a fun after school spot... we will always look back that remember it so fondly. I can only hope that there is a new generation of kids to enjoy this amazing gem. I hope this doesn't stop for a long time. Every child deserves the same feelings Irving's brought us. Viva la irving's!
I FINALLY had the opportunity to go in!!!
Being a preschool teacher and a lover of all things cheap and/or old, this is my new spot! I love local businesses but sometimes it is a tough decision to go local and pay more for items or sell out and go to a giant and pay less...
well., one is not faced with such compromises here....! Ethel Weiss, who told me that she is 94 years old!!, keeps her prices
LOW, LOW, LOW, LOW! (to quote Flo Rida)
She has board games such as candy land as well as little toys and all kinds of old-fashioned goodies. It is like a time wharp back a few decades, at least!!!
Go in and see for yourself!
Yea Irvings!
I used to go there almost every day after school (I went to Devotion next door) and Ethel used to sell these little hand-made baggies of Swedish Fish for a quarter. So awesome. To say that very little has changed in the 15 years since I started going there is not doing the store justice - how about: Very little has changed about the place in the 50 years it's been open!
Me and C stopped in recently to snack it up and hung out with Ethel for a bit, talking about her store and so on. She has a list of guidelines for living up on the wall, ask her about that - she's the coolest.
When I was in Kindergarden my Grandpa used to take me here to get me little toys or an ice cream from the freezer. Over 20 years later Ethel still runs one of Brookline's most beloved little shops. She remembers all the neighborhood kids (even the old ones like me!) and knows everyone's parents, sisters and brothers.
Irving's is the only place to get a candy bar, a soda, old Devotion School buttons or school supplies with a little friendly gossip.
Tip-- Watch Ethel sell candy like a pro when all the school kids stream in at 2 PM. She manages to keep her composure even when surrounded by thirty fourth graders!
What a little gem. I felt like I need to take a time machine to get there. Candy, gum, games, cards...some of the toys were like the cheap plastic toys that at we'd get at the general store when camping, like little plastic farm animals or activity pads that come with those magic markers. The woman who works there, Ethel, is a sweetheart. She wears a button that says, "I love my customers." I asked her who Irving is and she said, "My first husband. Died in '60." Definitely chat her up if you stop by.
I had been passing by Irving's for years but I never actually stopped in. So when I did, I bought gum and a figurine of Birdie from McDonald's.
I hope Irving's lasts forever.
I know this place catches your eye every time that you pass. You know you want to go in, don't you?
Mallo Cups, Charleston Chews, Now and Laters, Cow Tales. She's got those awesome candies that you can't find anywhere else "these days." I never go inside without the intent to buy something, because I just can't bring myself to leave without giving her money.
Stop in. Grab a 50-cent candy bar. Support this oddity that just doesn't seem like it should be there.
My mom used to walk here on her way home from school when she was little, she then took me when i was little (often after we went to rubin's).
the older woman who owns/works here is a sweetheart and i really hope that people take the time to chat with her. I have not been in in a while and the other day for some reason I started worrying.. what if one day there is no more Irving's? that will be a very very sad day... and one i hope does not come.
All the sweet ass prizes that I ever wished I could find in a cereal box or Cracker Jack box are here, in this store. Did you need a pair of eyes for your hand or a plastic tiger? Here, you would get it here. AND SO MUCH MORE.
This place is the best taste of the old coolidge corner. An AMAZING candy selection, that you cannot find anywhere else in Coolidge Corner. This place is the Grandfather of birthday party gift bag toys, and everything from bouncy balls, to cap guns. A nice old lady runs the shop, and has been for many years. This it definitely as good as it gets. TWO THUMBS UP!
Irvings since 1937, same beautiful lady, and still going.
is there anywhere to compare with Ethel!
