Monkey Pants

This shop owner is miserable and doesn't actually understand children or care about being polite or the customers she serves. Please consider just about anywhere else for your shopping needs. There are other stores in that area that have similar products.

That said, here's my short experience and why I'm not happy-

My son is two and we walked in very briefly thinking I might be able to find something small or cute. It's the Holiday season in December so things are very busy in this area now.

I'd walked by this place several times before he was born and was always curious. There's a lot of things for small infants there- clothes wise, and there's some great retro Little Miss books. Ok not bad. Well they have a sale on these toy boxes and there were a couple of them under a shelf with miscellaneous toys that may or may not be for sale. My son found a toy airplane and went behind the counter with it. I was trying to direct him to get out and being calm and sweet telling him to please come out of there and to pick up the toy plane he'd dropped and put it away.

The woman behind the counter promptly said "it sounds like someone doesn't want to listen. Now pick up the toy and put it back."

This store counter person was so out of line and she seemed absolutely clueless as to why when I said that that had been very rude. As she had a child with her and worked at a children's store it was absolutely ridiculous. I would highly encourage you to shop elsewhere. There's several other stores that have similar items that probably don't have anyone that would be so out of line to make such a comment and think that was appropriate.

Pass.on.this.

Response to owner response- There is zero "entitlement" when asking a toddler twice to honor not going back behind the counter, asking a couple of times and waiting patiently for a child to respond properly. It sounds like you're trying to foist things off as to say that i just had an unruly child when what was incorrect was the adult saying "Oh it sounds like you don't want to listen" which is exactly what you did. You were not kind about my child like you're trying to state and it's really sad that you feel that your behavior was appropriate or that you were entitled to try and tell me how to direct my child appropriately in your store. There is a HUGE difference from saying "Hey could you please not do that" to "It sounds like you don't want to listen." Perhaps you could learn a few things about parenting and kindness and empathy as clearly you seem confused.

If you couldn't say anything nice- as your son was clearly hungry and perhaps you were annoyed with that situation as you were not warm at all nor did you even attempt to greet me, then maybe you shouldn't have said anything.

The toys in your community area were very worn out and played with. I had actually hoped that there had been something in one of those bins small and cute for my son as I had intended on purchasing something for him initially when we walked in. I walked past very young infant toys and there was nothing within reasonable eye shot for either my son or I to find interesting. There had been one bin of toys that had been broken and was on repeat. I looked for the button to turn it off and didn't see it. You sent your son to fix it and I thanked him accordingly. I was supervising and right next to my child the whole time. It's great that you offer a space for truly entitled parents who don't want to supervise their children to run amok. Maybe that's why no one has complained- because they just don't feel like supervising their own children so they're thankful you're there to free them from that responsibility.

Now that aside, there is a huge difference between supervising store activity and telling people how to parent their children. No my son shouldn't have been behind your counter nor should he have dropped the toy behind there. If you understood children to be curious as you're claiming in your response, this shouldn't have been a huge issue. I was also speaking to my son and encouraging him to come back (which he eventually did on my third mention of it) and put it away. As children are still very developmentally behind at the age of two, sometimes polite repetition is necessary while remaining calm and poised. I did set boundaries and I also said that he wasn't supposed to go back there nor drop any toys. My tone changed slightly to remind him and he was paying attention to the difference in vocal ques as he was processing. Everything that happened on our end was developmentally appropriate. Your harsh abrasive attitude: Oh you don't want to listen was not only out of line for me as a parent, but worse for you as a stranger. I'm sorry but you were the one who was entitled as you were the one attempting to tell me how to parent my child and then try and make a response like you were just the victim of some brat.

I always enjoy stopping by this little toy shop when I'm in the area. They carry a lot of nostalgic toys like Monchhichis & Kewpies. Sadly, they were all out of Sonny Angels this time around, but that's how most of the shops in Little Tokyo are right now. I always enjoy how friendly the staff are too, no matter what day I visit :)

Shopping in Little Tokyo, Los Angeles, California...

We were strolling along when I saw "Monkey Pants".

What's that?

I had to look inside the store... Because it had such an intriguing name...

Ahhh... This shop is full of cute stuff! It's too bad that my luggage is full!

But - when I saw Miffy (the bunny from The Netherlands), I had to get something... Haha!

I had to focus and not get distracted by Totoro, My Melody, Monchhichi, etc.

I just got one thing (for a gift) and left quickly!

Maybe next time, I'll have more room in my luggage and will look around for a longer time... LOL!

Cute little store to check out!

I've always skipped past it since from the storefront it looks like it's just a store for clothes and items for little kids and toddlers, but side from some children clothes, there's so many cute things here to look at that aren't available or common to any other shop in Little Tokyo.

Lots of cute plushies and accessories. Many of characters that I have never seen before, and others of classics like Moomin and Frog and Toad. There's also a dedicated corner to Pusheen merch too. There's also lots of stickers and other trinkets too.

It is a bit pricey, but worth a stop to look at nonetheless.

Very comfy in the store and social and has so many cute variety of things highly recommend

Super cute store! Great place to find sonny angels, they have it behind the cash register so you need to ask the employees

Staff was so sweet and helpful! I would give them all a little kith
They handle high demand and busy days very well while also giving you great customer service! I waited in line no longer than 5 minutes.

Super cute store!
A lot of sanrio and Angel babies
They have a nice line to keep the area not as crowded

Cute little store with some cool Japanese toys, clothes, and smaller items. Most things are overpriced but fun to stop in for a quick look.

I've come here for years and I've always been treated kindly, never had issues, my daughter loves it here as well it's been her go to shop since she was barely walking.
The reason for this review is that I introduced my boyfriend to this store and he says he has not received the same treatment as I when he has gone alone.
He has stated that the woman who seems to be the owner, not the other employees, has been unkind and a bit passive aggressive with him. I am not sure why, he's not a super talkative joyful kind of dude but he's always polite even if serious.
It saddens me that he has been made to feel uncomfortable here as he also likes their items, I've also stopped coming in due to this. Hopefully the owner can be a bit friendlier to ALL PEOPLE not just specific ones.

monkeypants is one of my favorite stores in little tokyo!! it's my number one store for cute items, sonny angels, and now smiskis!!! they have the best customer service!! wonderful owner, social media manager and staff!!! thank u monkeypants