AROUND THE PARK AGAIN by Sharon Lee Tegler
All across the country, supply chain disruptions have been a big problem for toy stores and a cause of confusion for both shop owners and parents looking for Christmas presents..
Having suffered no major disruptions thanks to pre-planning on the part of the owners, the shelves are fully stocked at both branches of Franklin’s Toys. The ordering process has been “crazy” this year according to co-owner Stephen Kauffmann but Franklin’s Toys Severna Park at 558-A Ritchie Hightway in Park Plaza and Franklin’s Toys Annapolis at 2327C Forest Drive in Festival at Riva have great selections of toys.
Plush critters are abundant throughout both stores. Whether gigantic in proportion like the dragon in the opening photo or the elegant giraffe below….. or small and cuddly….. all would love to end up as some lucky child’s Christmas gift.
While the cuddly critters are very appealing, they are not this year’s “hot toy”. Surprisingly, the hot toy that is selling off the shelves is called Pop Fidgety. Neither extravagant or costly, Pop Fidgety toys are modeled after bubble wrap and come in a multitude of sizes .
After surviving a challenging 2020, traffic is up significantly at both Franklin’s Toys stores – a cause for celebration according to the owners. Like other merchants, they’re grateful that, this year, holiday shoppers are out and about supporting the small, independent businesses that are the soul of their communities.
Customers are telling them they appreciate the range of products the stores carry. They particularly like that both branches offer the same product lines so, when one store is out of a toy, the other can supply it.
As in past years, little kids can’t wait to get their hands on big yellow dump trucks by Bruder or Road Rockers tractor trailer race transports while their slightly older siblings are drawn to Matchbox-sized cars and absolutely love Legos.
Three-year-olds have a positive passion for big, yellow dump trucks like those by Bruder – especially if there is sand or dirt nearby. 
Road Rockers tractor-trailer race transports are cool too for kids with an eye for cars.
Legos are fun for kids of all ages. They are used as teaching toys in schools and there are Lego Clubs and competitions.
Today’s educational toys are not only instructional but entertaining. Those carried by Franklin’s Toys range from easy-to-play musical instruments to a nifty toy cash register with which your child can play store.
Easy-to-play musical instruments can inspire a budding musician…… 
……or a colorful toy cash register can inspire a whole afternoon of playing “store”.
There are even educational toys for adults. Franklin’s Toys Severna Park has an entire wall of jigsaw puzzles which rose in popularity during the stay-at-home phase of the pandemic and have retained their appeal.
Franklin’s Toys always carries a rack or two of filmy princess garments suitable for dress-ups. This year’s newest accessories for “make-believe princesses” are Great Pretenders bracelets, necklaces, hair clips and other adornments.
There are Christmas storybooks aplenty and for stocking stuffers, you can’t beat specially designed Stocking Stuffer Mad Libs.
For information on hours or directions, visit Franklin’s Toys – Your Friendly Neighborhood Toy Store! – Franklin’s Toys (franklinstoystore.com)
PIC Upscale Resale Boutique open for holiday shopping
Not only gifting, but giving is on the upswing too. Last Christmas, the Partners In Care Upscale Resale Boutique (at 8151 Ritchie Highway) gathered its Christmas collections while adapting to COVID-19 guldelines but succeeded in making holiday shopping a pleasure for its customers. This year, thanks to generous donations and the efforts of volunteers who are the backbone of the boutique, the shop is looking great for the holiday season.
In addition to tables and counters featuring holiday patterned china and glassware, they’re showing items that would make great gifts including designer label handbags and clothing. There is also a counter of the boutique’s well-known collection of upscale fine jewelry.
Partners In Care, – a private non-profit, 501(c) (3) offering programs and services that help older adults remain living in their homes independently – is largely a self-sustaining organization so fine jewelry and boutique sales provide most of its operating budget.
Holiday-themed decorative items are scattered throughout the shop.
PIC’s staff and the boutique volunteers are thrilled to be back to normal operations and welcoming holiday shoppers his year.
“If you’re looking for a Christmas gift, we have so many great things that are reasonably priced,” said boutique volunteer Marlene Zupkusky. “We have holiday mugs for $2 each, for instance.”
Partners In Care Upscale Resale Boutique’ s hours are Mondays from Noon till 6 pm and Tuesdays thru Saturdays from 10 am till 6 pm. The store is closed on Sundays.
Hours for people wishing to donate resale items are Tuesdays through Saturdays from 9 am till noon. For information, visit Boutiques – Partners In Care Maryland or call 410-544-0568.
Diehl’s Produce has Chrismas trees aplenty
Another quick reminder that Diehl’s Produce, at the corner of Baltimore-Annapolis Boulevard and McKinsey Road has plenty of Christmas trees and evergreen wreaths as well.
For information visit Diehl’s on Facebook at Diehl’s Produce | Facebook.
Earleigh Heights Volunteer Fire Company also has trees for sale on the lot next to the firehouse. They’ll also be starting their annual Santa Runs on December 4. Lunch With Santa is planned for December 5. For information on the Santa Runs neighborhood schedule and details on Lunch With Santa visit Earleigh Heights VFC (ehvfc.org).
