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Mon-Sat. 9:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Sun. 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
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I love Talbot's and go here practically weekly with my twin toddlers. The salespeople are friendly, knowledgeable, great with kids, and never pushy. They answer questions patiently and never seem to lose their nerve even while kids are throwing tantrums about not wanting to leave or because they aren't getting the toy they want.
Their Thomas the Train section (both wooden and advanced) is unmatched by any other toy store in the area, and if your kid loves trains they will surely enjoy playing at the Talbot's train tables. Not only are the tables generously stocked with dozens of wooden trains, so there are always enough to go around, there are even a few chairs for parents to sit in while kids play.
The "advanced/hobbyist" train section is impressive, and your train fan will get a kick out of the automated train sets moving back and forth around the store (above the entrance to the bicycle shop), as well as the mini train set they can turn on with the push of a big red button.
There are TWO customer restrooms and at least one changing table in the dolls' section. The free parking in the rear is great, and we get the added bonus of getting to watch the CalTrains zoom by before getting back in our car.
Overall a great toy browsing and shopping experience, and the best kid-friendly place in downtown San Mateo to spend an hour or so with your kids.
very nice store. I was surprised how big it was and what they offered.
check it out.
There are so many great things to say about this place!
I guess what I like the most is that there is a place in the store for children to play. Complete with several Brio train sets for the little kids, play houses set up, a line of Radio Flyers and Big Wheels for the kids to take spins around the toy department on. Oh, and dont forget the life sized stuffed giraffes!
I took my 3 year old nephew there several weeks ago to blow off some steam before nap time my plan went off without a hitch. He spent about an hour playing with all the toys laid out before him. He made some "short-term" friends and formed a little play group. He had a blast.
Talbots is not just for little kids. Big kids like my self can play around in the toy train and model section of the store or hop on over the cycle shop. Over the years I have made my way from the toy trains to the RC cars and boats....to the collectible section.
The staff at the store is very kid friendly and do not give you a hassle for making a mess or trying out some of the toys before buying them. It is nice to see the same staff members year after year. They have a sense of what I like and make good suggestions with new products.
I have nothing bad to say about Talbots....just a word of warning. If you take a child with you be prepared to hear the screaming and crying when you try to leave. You just might have to bribe the little tyke with a toy to keep the peace.
Awesome place for kids and adult. It reminded me of my childhood days when there is no Toy R Us and we only have neighborhood toys shops. We don't have much opportunity to go Talbots very often but we spend hours looking at toys for our daughter. It is special place and if you looking for good shopping experience for toys, this is the place.
I've been back and it perhaps they were renovating the last time I went. The selection is back up to normal levels and the service is good too.
Talbot's was my favorite toy store growing up. It was a treasure trove of wonders and it was always… Read more »
Toy store is very clean and organzied, every price point. Great for kids gifts, or for the collectors. I purchase quite a few high end dolls in the store, and called ahead to have them hold items, which they were happy to do so. Great customer service. Love the doll department, for my kids and myself. Highly recommended unique toy store, worth the trip if you don't live locally.
HOLY CRAP!!!
I use to go here when I was a child and forgotten all about it. One day I was walking with my friend in downtown San Mateo and it popped in my head to go see the toy store.
Oh my goodness!! i forgot how big this toy store was. If you need to buy a toy for anyone this is the place to go. They have everything in the world!! You can shop from child to adult here!
How I wish I had a neighborhood toy store like this when I was a child! I would've begged my parents to take me there every weekend. (Hey, there's no admission fee!)
This place is amazingly BIG on various levels.
As far as I can remember, it's the biggest toy store I've been to. Walk in and see it for yourself if you haven't yet. It's simply dazzling!
The selection of goods is as big and impressive. You could probably find EVERY toy you've ever dreamed of....board games, dolls and stuffed animals, miniature trains and cars, bikes and other sports gears, etc. I'm sure there are lots of hard-to-find collectors' items in there.
The best thing about Talbot's is that you don't need to be a child to enjoy the visit. Whether you're a boy, girl, man or woman, you'll be amused. For example, while I went to look at the puzzles and the gigantic stuffed animals (larger than me), my husband went to see some robots he used to play with a few decades ago. It's like we were kids again.
The prices are fair, and the service is outstanding, too. Again, the place is huge so it helps to have these folks guide you through the aisles.
What an awesome discovery. Now we know where to go when shopping for children's (and even adults') gifts!
this is the best toy and bike shop in san mateo. it is apparently a dying breed of local toy shop, do go before they become another
business that fell to Internet or corp greed. the small time experience
is now a thing of the past for the new generations. they have everything for hobbies especially train sets and rare toys , the bike shop is awesome with a giant collection parts and hi end bikes. do go before times takes this charming business aways like the old
Woolworth, King Norman's toys, Newberrys and others.
Great hobby/toy/train/bicycle store. Great people and lots of stuff to buy. Also, I like the mom and pop businesses, so it's even better. There's something for everybody.
An employee at Talbots left a drill on a toy shelf on a Sunday afternoon, when it could have been picked up by a child.
I reported to an employee and she promptly addressed it. But, it is absolutely inexcusable for a TOY STORE employee to leave power tools in easy reach of children and then walk away.
No matter how charming or nostalgic a store, this caused me to leave immediately and never return.
I think this is where Santa gets all his toys! Huge sections of toys with books, bikes, puzzles, stuffed animals, bikes and every educational toy (telescopes, rocks, and how to builds).
My biggest draw was the the Thomas the train section that had limited edition trains and sets. The prices are little more expensive than Target but great way to support local shops!
The staff is friendly and knowledgeable when it comes to the perfect gift!
MY FIRST TOY / MODEL / BIKE STORE (that is how it is sectioned out north to south to north.
This is a locally owned, neighborhood toy shop that has existed forever... and to think as a 5 year old I stood in the same place looking at the goofy toys that I bought 20 years later for the burn....
amazing justoposition that can only be gained from being an awesome old timey toy store. Thanks Talbots!!!!!
It doesn't look that big from the outside, but it's wide and deep and really really big inside.
Like the Happiest Place in San Mateo. Not Happiest Place On Earth, that's trademarked in Anaheim, Orlando, Tokyo, Hong Kong, and Paris.
Of course I meant that whole heartedly and apologize if I offended the following:
- $u$hi $am'$ when at the top of their game and their white board specials fish but without the oversaucing and condiments
- $anta Ramen when they rarely actually nail a $excellent porky boner broth noodle, aka tonkotsu ramen, that I half agree with ie only in their heyday
-Little $heep for some killer Mongolian style hot pot
-Everyday Beijing for some Northern style homey starch coma goodness
- Clear Optometry for lychee YoFro
-Lure for high end dining
Talbots does an excellent job with layout so it is easy to find what you want. While they don't specialize in any particular niche of toys, their selection and variety more than makes up for it. There is pretty much a lil' somethin for anyone and everyone. Great customer service, what more can you ask for.
Near the back is some space for kids to play with toy train sets on display, with a giant stuffed giraffe nearby. Across from there is endless mindless infant and toddler fun of play houses and mini slides, all surrounded by push cart type wagons and four wheelers as well as tricycles (trying out is fine but really limited to one aisle of space, so don't let your kid be Speed Racer and Speedy Gonzalez doing Knight Rider and Grand Tourissimo laps and hairpin turns).
And yes as others have pointed out, rarely seen old school and yet cool wooden toys, like a duck on a stick where if you do a mopping action with it on the floor, the feet move and simulate a web foot slapping action.
They even sell toilet seat covers for kids!
But yeah it is the kids who want to make this place a permanent home.
You try telling a kid "it is time to leave now" at this establishment, and see what happens. Good luck with that. But if you are really desperate, you can tell them there's ratty FroYo next door if it helps (better yet say it is ice cream). Just don't give them the fruit.
Great selection, knowledgeable and friendly staff and reasonable prices. We wanted to buy a kite at the spur of the moment and our son was encouraging the purchase of a massive winged dragon thing. The sales woman kindly steered us to a simple $10 kite knowing that it'd be easier for a toddler to fly and control. How often do you walk into the major chain stores and get that type of service?
Finally, around the Holidays, they have a special sale where some of the proceeds go to local schools (or something like that). My type of store.
Extremely friendly helpful and knowledgeable staff. They have a good selection of strollers and car seats. Tons of Lego and Playmobil toys, a bicycle shop and lots of stuffed animals. Complimentary gift wrapping, and carried a large item out to my car for me.
When I am bored, I would inadvertently wonder into this place. This is a locally owned store that is decently sized with the front being the tinker toy, Lego, puzzle etc. section and the back more for outdoor playhouses and sports gears etc.
I bought some juggling balls from this place once after searching all around the area for the right one. The staffs are helpful if you need to find something. The price was a little much though.
This is all that a toy store should be and more. Great selection, wonderful customer service, plus gift wrapping. Unlike Toys R Us, you can actually ask a staff member about an item and they will be able to find it quickly and easily. On one visit they explained they were out of a particular toy we were looking for, but in the next breath told us what other stores were likely to have it.
My wife and I do an annual Christmas shopping date here since the store is open late on weekends in Nov/Dec. We show up with a list, find nearly everything on it, find great stuff we never thought of, get it all gift wrapped to our specifications (for free), then take it home in large, red bags. That's the easy part. The hard part is hiding it from the kids so they can't find it. Amazingly enough, they even have an answer for this dilemma. They will hold your purchases in storage at the store, and you can come back to get them when the time is right. And there is no extra charge for all this.
Amazingly enough, you don't actually pay a premium here. Prices are the same or only slightly higher than other toy stores in the area.
Skip the chains and support your local stores. Talbots is the place to go!
My favorite i still think i'm a kid store.
I love this place. tons of different toys to please the kid in me.
from cars and models to trains or whatever, this place has it all.
ive been coming here for years and can still remember running around the isles as a kid, with my Dad chasing me. I recently came in
with my nephew and had the best time. it was a thrill to watch him run around and pick up everything he could get his hands on. of course he threw everything he got his hands on too. dont think the staff was too happy about that airplane flying across the store, weeeee!!
great store, great memories.
This store is a lot of fun and has things that are hard to find at other stores.
My daughter loves to go there because there is a giant giraffe that must seem like a sky scraper to her!
I only gave 3 stars because they are more pricey than other stores. I'm forever the bargain shopper and regularly see items at Talbot's that I can get for $10 cheaper at Target.
Yes, I know, it's a small business and it's good to support small, local business, but I also like to protect my wallet sometimes.
Came here a lot when I was with the Cub Scouts and enjoyed getting some of the random toys here. Like that they offered the non-mainstream toys here and especially the model kits. You do pay a premium here but it's a nice alternative to the bigger chains.
I like going into toy stores, even though I have to consider myself an "adult" once in a blue moon. I have always been a bit curious about this store as we passed by it when getting frozen yogurt. All the times we passed by it, it was closed. Anyway, they have a giant life-sized fuzzy bear on display in the front of the store by the cashiers. I want to one day get a picture with that bear, but not by myself. I find it too embarrassing for me to do it alone.
Whenever I scout out toy stores nowadays, my sole mission is to look for more hippos, and I found two hippos here in the baby section...both were actually eco-friendly-made hippos, one was a puppet, the other was just a regular hippo, not furry or fluffy at all, but had its eyes closed like it was sleeping, and it was a bit too skinny for my taste, but I was excited to see hippos! =)
I like how toy stores are so colorful and full of possibilities. I miss being a kid and having that opportunity to be mesmerized by the little things.... oh wait, I still am a kid. =P Hoorah!
This place makes you wish you were a kid again. Whenever it's one of my nieces bday, I hit this place up for some gifts. They have a diverse selection of toys and games and even a small section for books. It's a lot of fun to shop here, though don't count on sale items or anything. You can also get your toys gift warped for free!
So my friend's mom just HAD to show me "the cutest, most rare stuffed animals ever!" Ok, whatever. This place is pretty cool, especially the train room. Their prices didn't seem too expensive, and they carry just about everything...even Ouija (sp?) boards. Kay.
So I guess you're supposed to pay for parking by walking up to the machine and getting a ticket...well, we didn't, and we didn't end up getting fined. Woo!
This is a fun place to go on a rainy day and let the kiddies play and pick up some toys (huge selection).
There are play structures they can climb in/on and slide down, toy vehicles they can test in the aisles, trains on large train tables, and many other activities to keep the little ones entertained.
Bathrooms have changing tables, there's a bike shop, hobby shop, they've got everything short of babysitting. Some schools have fundraisers here (our preschool does), where 10% of purchases during a particular week go to the school. Very cool.
This is a very nice, large toy store in the heart of downtown San Mateo.
More of 4.5 stars - because selection is wonderful but price is at least 10% above the web plus tax. But...not everything you want to buy from the web so most of the time I end up buying from Talbots.
Oh, if you plan to save money and use the generic Thomas tracks, they may line up with the originals, but they won't connect with IKEA tracks (yet IKEA tracks are thomas/brio compatible). Weird....also, if you like battery powered wooden thomas, they may not work well with any NON original Thomas tracks.
For the little or big kid in you...
Parents: let the kids go wild (aka free daycare)
Kids: go wild (aka find a place to hide so you never leave...)
Loved the train room... and balls... and hoola hoops... and board games... and books... and toy sets... and and and...
Update: 5/27
The store looks deceptively small as you walk in, but you keep walking back, and it's like a cinematic tunnel effect: rooms keep going and going! Nicely laid out and super organized, this store has really good educational toys with bells and whistles, not just popular fare. There's a whole section of old-school-style wood toys (Plan Toys, etc.). What's great is that there is so much on display for kids to experiment with. You could come here and waste two hours without even trying.
The employees at the back register were slightly anal about keeping the ride-ons confined to their display area. I found it less than ideal because the test-drive area should really be bigger, especially for larger ride-ons like balance bikes. I tested out a Plasma Car for fun. Overall, I liked that the employees were not a bunch of stiffs trying to micromanage tots in the store.
Talbot's also has an impressive hobby shop section and giant-sized stuff animals that will cost you a lot but are awesome to gander. One of the giraffes was so tall to the ceiling its neck was bent! Love, love, love the quality of these giant animals. I felt up a few of the giraffes' legs.
I ended up purchasing a pricey Thomas train table and train set here, and will definitely be back for the convenience and fun times.
* * * * *
Original review:
No, this wasn't the first toy store I called to fulfill a very tall order for a playhouse climber/swingset. I called Toys R Us (San Mateo) first for a stock check. I was put on hold for a while, then when someone came back on the line, she said, "Toys R Us..." then hung up on me. I had to call back and ask for another stock check on the same item. Obviously, those slackers at Toys R Us didn't want my business.
I called Talbots Toyland next because they have an outdoor play department, and the salesperson was able to look up my item right away and hook me up with it. Today I called them back to set up delivery. Not at any moment was I treated like "just another caller." TT helped me out, and for that they made a huge sale. Screw Toys R Us San Mateo.
Look at my new main picture.
Do you think anybody would buy that 15 ft. giraffes?
If they do, where the heck are they going to put it?
Wow, I just back from there with one of my little ones.
They love puzzles and there was a great selection. In Toys R Us, I get confused and everything is so big. Here at Talbots, it's organized and very neat. A lot of unique toys! I'lll be back.
Friendly staff. Talbots has been around for as long as I can remember. I like that they still retain a lot of the old fashioned feel and not do the mainly trendy video games, etc. They have toys galore. From wooden blocks to dolls to model trains and airplanes.
Ask any kid in the peninsula where they got their bike from. A large percentage of them came from Talbots' very knowledgeable cycling department. It's not just for kids though. They have some pretty serious bikes available for adults too. From rugged mountain bikes to do crazy stunts with to ultra lightweight carbon fiber road bikes for races. They have it all.
Talbot's is an amazing old school toy store located in downtown San Mateo. Talbot's is well stocked with toys ranging from bicycles, models, toy trains, dolls, new born accessories, and lots more. The staff is always friendly and knowledgeable.
Having grown up in San Francisco it reminds me of King Normans on Clement Street. It was cool seeing Talbot's in Nine months a late 1990's Robin Williams movie.
Now a days with Wal-Mart's and Target's it's tough for these full-service toy stores to stay in business. If you are ever on B-street check out Talbot's. You might see me chasing my daughter around the store.
I love Talbots. An amazing toy store with a huge selection of ride on toys, model toys, Barbies, toys which are rated safe by the EU, art supplies, climbing sets by Little Tikes, dolls, collectible trains and cars, building sets, and games. There is also a huge bicycle department. Many of the toys are assembled in the toy store so the little ones can try them out.
I love that they are independent and are going strong!
Support local business!!!
Wooden toys. Remember those? Talbots does.
Feel like Edward Scissor Hands when you're wrapping presents? Talbots gift wraps.
You can find a thoughtful gift for virtually any child. But skip it if you're looking for video games and that kind of thing. Even so, it's worth a look; you might be surprised.
I particularly like the selection of arts and crafts kits and scientific kits. They also have a beautiful collection of expensive dolls. Go nostalgic and give your best friend an ant farm for her 40th birthday. Delight your niece with a real butterfly pavilion. Fight the side effects of urban sprawl and cover your ceiling with glow-in-the-dark stars.
Granted, it's easiest to shop Talbots when you've got at least $20 in your pocket. But let's say your budget is $5. There are stickers, rings and necklaces, and plastic figurines too.
Talbots is known for quality that is nearly old-fashioned now. It has quality toys that engage kids, courteous customer service, a selection that distinguishes it from other toy stores, and gift wrapping so nice you'll pretend you did it yourself. Okay, maybe that last part is just me.
Do not take a cranky four year old in need of a nap here 10 minutes before closing. Big.Bad.Idea. Took our nephew here on his last visit to California and he was quickly enthralled by the whole section of plastic playhouses, he promptly entered one and played house: washing his hands in the "sink" and opening the door to the "mailman" and looking out his window. Adorable. Until the announcement that the store was closing came on. He was none too pleased that we took him out of his house.
This is such a neat toy store that doesn't focus on what is "popular" (how much Spider-Man, or Bratz toys does anyone need?) it just has good, fun and educational toys. I like how each "section" of the store has a theme, whether it's books, infant/toddler toys, models, dolls, bikes, playhouses or board games. You can find ANYTHING here. They also have a good selection of kites and DIY science experiment type stuff.
Me and the Hubster often browse here even though we have no kids, have no friend with kids (well, except for an infant) and our nephew lives in CO. It's just a fun place for people of all ages!
This place is so less intimidating and irritating than going to places like toys r us. I went here the other week to their cycle store next door to get some cleats put on my cycling shoes and while i was waiting, i wandered into the toy store.
talk about blast to the past, i saw so many toys here that i used to play with when i was growing up. they have this awesome selection of board games as well. remember hungry hungry hippo? awesome.
it's also a hobby place with trains, model kits, planes and r/c everything. i actually came back here a few days ago to buy myself an r/c boat to race with (yes, my inner tomboy is coming out again)
the prices are a bit higher than the big box stores, but i'd rather spend more here just because i know it's independently owned and its been around for quite some time. gotta support the local businesses!
Great place to just window shop or buy a bike helmet like I did. Very helpful staff, and they carry extra large sizes for my overly large ego aka noggin. The price was reasonable also for the helmet. They're just slightly higher than REI, but totally worth it.
I hope they stick around considering that everything seems to be taken over by corporate America.
This is just an awesome toy store. The hobby section is sort of balanced between toy trains/planes/etc and hard-core hobbyists. The bike department is also first rate, probably just as good as a pure bike shop, but a bit less intimidating--we've bought more than one bike from them.
The toy section has plenty of stuff out for kids to try out--pedal cars, play houses, train tables, etc. This is very handy if you end up taking your kid along while buying them a present, and need to keep them distracted!
Despite being a little pricey (but for good quality stuff) there are also some bins of cheap things that don't suck, which can be handy for getting your kid out of the store happily (like if you've gone to buy a birthday present for one of their friends).
Lots of good "interesting" toys like craft kits and games, too.
They are half way between San Mateo CalTrain and Central Park (not a long walk!) so we've visited on a lot Saturday outings.
I went to Toys R Us and nearly threw up. This place is so much better - it's a real toy store!!
The other day I wanted to buy a friend a potato clock (it's a clock that runs on two potatoes, just plug in some wires and presto). I couldn't find one anywhere and didn't have time to order one on line. I called a couple local hobby shops to see if they had one in stock, only to have my request laughed at.
When I called Talbot's, they did NOT laugh at me and they knew exactly what I was talking about. The staff member checked stock immediately and when it turned out they didn't have them, he ordered one for me and it was ready for pick up in TWO days. I probably paid a dollar or two more than I would have paid on line, but the experience was totally worth it.
I grew up with Talbot's in the 60's, but left the Bay Area in the early 70's. I was in San Mateo last week and visited again for old-times sake. While the toys are different and they have added hobbies and bicycles, what hasn't changed is their fantastic and quality selection. They go well beyond the plebian items that are found at Wal-Mart, Target, and Toys-R-Us. I could (and almost did) spend hours in the store gazing at all the stuff.
So... if you have kids, need to buy a gift for a kid, or are a big kid like me, then this is the place for you.
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Category: Hobby Shops
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