they filed for bankrupcy, last i heard they were looking for someone to buy them out before they were going to close the store..but i guess they didn't have any interested parties. that is really sad, i haven't been there since i was little..i should go wander around one day before it closes for good.

NOOOOO!!!

:: heads for nearest Metro-North station, credit card in hand ::

I have fond memories of that store... running around the store playing with all the toys :) In December there's always a long line, mostly parents with little kids, waiting to get in because they can only have so many people in the store at a time. A pity it's closing :(

aephi, I know. As I was walking around, I was on the verge of tears because it's one of the places I always fantasized taking little Munchkins to, and some of my happiest memories are going to different cities and making it to FAO. There are huge tacky liquidation signs on everything. They are selling anything they can. :(

The one in Indianapolis went bankrupt a couple of years ago and it was so so sad...the archway filled with water and barbie shoes was even for sale! :(

yeah, the FAO at the mall in DC closed about this time last year. It was really odd -- I'd always thought of it as an upscale toy store but with those 'everything must go' signs it looked so cheap and cheesy.

Okay, why are Dads so freaking hard to shop for???? My dad is just killing me. Every year it is a panic to get him something new and different. This year Mom and i are in cahoots to try and style him up a little. A homestyle Queer Eye make over, if you will. of course we have to keep it realistic -- he won't wear a pair of leather pants just because we've bought them. And ew, not that I'd want to even see that. So I've bought him a pair of Levi's dark rinse jeans and a few nice button ups to go with it. Plus I was able to enter into that Motherlode promotion so hopefully we can really make him over if the family wins $10 million.

I'm going to win that LEVI"s contest! God know, i've entered enough times!!!! Who else has entered??

Just two more people to buy presents for! I did most of my shopping today. Now I just have to go home and wrap them.

don't kill me!
 

the house is decorated inside and out, gifts are bought and wrapped, cards were mailed, all Christmas cookie/coffee cake/candy making is done!

I'm going to read a good book this weekend!

Dee

Presents are finished! I went all over this city, but it's done! What I'm not bringing home tomorrow is on its way via UPS Ground. Woo-hoo! And it was all done in two days, from fiance to niece and nephew to grandparents.

I have no idea what to buy my bf for Christmas. A month ago he mentioned an iPod, and then he bought it for himself. Over the weekend he mentioned a wetsuit for scuba diving. Guess what? Today he bought one. What the heck am I supposed to get him? Anything he wants he buy for himself.

good call Brown Eyed. I just read an article saying that "experience" gifts make the best gifts.

It doesn't really surprise me that FAO closed. I went to one in Chicago...my first time ever (since we don't have them here) and I wanted to go and see what it was like because I heard good thinmgs about the store. The store was fun, but I would never buy toys there. The prices were outrageous!

I started shopping yesterday.

I am so sad that FAO is closing. I've been wanting to take FI there. Every time we go to NYC, I HAVE to go there.

I hope someone buys them out and they can stay open. That place is an institution.

Damn you Toys R Us. That mega-store they opened didn't help FAO's plight. Just more proof of the Wal-Marting of America - how big is your store and how low are your prices? FAO had so much style - the singing clock tower, the "departments," the toy demonstrations.

:(

Since the tacky "LIQUIDATION!" signs are all over the place (at least they were a week ago), and they're selling features and decorations, I'd think they'll close sometime just after Christmas. I personally never minded paying a little more for the FAO experience than going to the Toys R' Toxic in Times Square or Mall-Wart. Everyone in FAO was a serious toy buyer. It's sad.

I finished my shopping! This is going to be a great Christmas at the Munchkin Household! :D

I wonder how much the singing clock tower is going for.

That was always my favorite part.