Lionel Playworld is a very popular website offering gift vouchers and eGift Cards to the people of the United States. Get Free Standard U.S. Lionel Corporation was an American toy manufacturer and holding company of retailers that had been in business for over 120 years. "Michael J. Vastola & Mark Katz visit LIONEL KIDDIE CITY on Bustleton Avenue in Philadelphia Pennsylvania, March 28, 1984. Lionel Playworld (Toys 'R' Us who? Other 1981 comics repackaged by DC Comics for Elson's Gift and News shops (typically in hotels and transportation hubs). If you grew up in Chicago or ever visited during the holiday season, Marshall Fields and its famous holiday window displays most likely have a special place in your heart. (e.g., NM $900) Indicates a slabbed comic with grade info entered at 9.6 . W.T. It is a model of Norfolk and Western's J class steam engine. Lionel also introduced the so-called Lionel Wartime Freight Train, a detailed set of cut-and-fold models of Lionel trains printed on cardstock which was notoriously difficult to put together.[6]. Their shopping yielded some bargains but not on everything. Merrill and Nadene Dahlstrom had hoped that Lionel's clearance would ring up savings for them at the cash register. 336 - Fuxing. Venator Group Inc. ultimately changed its name to Foot Locker Inc. in 2001. [3] Unable to reach an agreement for reorganization with its creditors, on June 2, Lionel announced its intention to liquidate all of its stores and go out of business.[4]. Manage all your favorite fandoms in one place! 725 W Redbridge Street Albany, NY - (Opened January 22, 1988) - Has a Justice & Brothers/Disney section. 3. Lionel Kiddie City is an American toy store chain under the ownership of Lionel, LLC. The ride slowly builds in speed, thrilling its riders as the seats swing further out. When the company declared bankruptcy in 1975, it was the largest retailing bankruptcy of the year, according to the University of California Press. By the early 1980s, Lionel operated 150 stores, under the names Lionel Kiddie City, Lionel Playworld, and Lionel Toy Warehouse (rebranded as Lionel Kiddie City in 1990). . Diners Club After the spinoff, TJX Companies was made up of Hit or Miss, T.J. Maxx, Chadwick's of Boston, and the defunct Zayre Corp. which renamed itself as TJX Cos. from 1950 to 1951, Lionel produced the 736 Berkshire, which was basically a 726 with Magne-Traction. Mastercard Press J to jump to the feed. Lionel ran into financial trouble during the early 1980s recession and filed for Chapter 11 . The Story of Joshua Lionel Cowen & His Lionel Train Company by Ron Hollander. 335 - Daxi. Lionel Kiddie City was an American Toy store under the ownership of Lionel Corp.. By the early 1980s, Lionel operated some 150 stores, under the names Toy City, Lionel Kiddie City, Lionel Playworld, Lionel Toy Warehouse, and Lionel Toy Town. -->> With the exception of a few complete vintage TOYS R US & CHILDREN'S PALACE circulars, i've been sitting on several random pages of incomplete LIONEL PLAYWORLD circulars from my former Design Teacher's archives ( in which i inherited years back ). Location: In Miami but, Inside the Resistance !! The manager of the Midvale store said he expects to clear all of his store's inventory within 60 days. Neither product line was as popular as its O-gauge trains. The locomotive was the 224, a pre-war carryover 2-6-2 prairie. One year later, Lionel released a model of the American Freedom Train to celebrate the nation's bicentennial. I purchased the new "Logging Cabin" powered accessory just released by Lionel and went to hook it up only to find that it requires a special wire extension to connect to either a traditional Lock-On or direct to the transformer. Closed in 2010, now a Babies "R"/Kids "R" Us combo store. [6], By the end of World War I, Lionel was one of three major U.S. toy train manufacturers. The store's famous Christmas window decorations began in 1897 as a toy display. none. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Lionel Playworld Location: United States Education: High school or equivalent, Experience: 8 years, 3 months Connect Request Sent. In 1938, Lionel made a model of Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad's Burlington Zephyr streamliner called the Flying Yankee. Most of the solo stores were gone by the 80's but one lasted in Sunrise Mall, Massapequa NY well into the late 80's. Below is a list of toy stores. The factory was destroyed by a fire on April 5, 2004. For a time it was the second-largest toy store chain in the United States. 1111 Rochester Lane, Tacoma, WA - (opened July 17, 2015) - Has a a Justice & Brothers section. A spokeswoman at the Brickyard administrative offices said that the Lionel outlet opened there just four years ago on Oct. 21, 1987. Lionel sold the product die tooling for its struggling train line and leased the rights to the Lionel brand name to the cereal company General Mills. Weiner refused to disclose the number of Lionel employees in Utah, to say why the stores are closing or even to report how long Lionel had had stores in Utah. Plenty of toy stores have been relegated to the proverbial retail attic over the years. [14], Lionel's efforts to diversify failed to compensate for the public's declining interest in its toy trains. Marshall Fields, was once the second-largest department store in the world, in addition to being one of Chicago's main tourist attractions on State Street. Let Lionel (Kiddie City/Playworld) turn that frown upside down! Jamaican Blue coffee house (technically in Scottsdale ) . What is Taoyuan Zipcode Format? Some Lionel company histories say Lionel (more than just trains) was the largest toy company in the world by the early 1950s. Follow Unfollow Block Report Inappropriate Share RUSSELL Riggs profile . Find salaries. The USPTO has given the LIONEL PLAYWORLD trademark a serial number of 73123040. In 1925, American Flyer jumped into the standard gauge market; and by 1926, Dorfan started making their own standard gauge trains as well. From 1953 all the way until 1968, the 736 was produced again. "Child World is grounded: rescue by Lionel falters - Lionel Kiddie City | Discount Store News | Find Articles at BNET", "Lionel closing 27 stores in struggle for survival - Lionel Kiddie City | Discount Store News | Find Articles at BNET", "Lionel Will Liquidate, Closing Kiddie City Toy Chain", "1977-1978 Commercials: TSS, Playworld, Toy City, Skaggs", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Lionel_Kiddie_City&oldid=1126702469, Companies that filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 1982, Companies that filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 1991, Articles with dead YouTube links from February 2022, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0. But after 156 years in business, the company filed for bankruptcy for a second time and shuttered its stores in 2015. Lionel Playworld was always way . PayPal 1. Delivery time is estimated using our proprietary method which is based on the buyer's proximity to the item location, the shipping service selected, the seller's . The Lionel toy stores (doing business as Lionel Kiddie City, Lionel Playworld, and, until 1990, Lionel Toy Warehouse) were American toy store chains under the ownership of Lionel Corp. Kiddie City Toy Stores were started in the 1960s. . This toy-related article is a stub. Many of Lionel's steam locomotives of this period, had a new feature: smoke, produced by dropping a small tablet or a special oil into the locomotive's smokestack, which contained an electric heating element. The Lionel FA model was also introduced in 1950. Initially, the company specialized in electrical novelties, such as fans and lighting devices. The Lionel toy stores (doing business as Lionel Kiddie City, Lionel Playworld, and, until 1990, Lionel Toy Warehouse) were American toy store chains under the ownership of Lionel Corporation. After the Lionel Corporation sold the rights to manufacture trains to General Mills in 1969, the Modern Era began the following year with train products being reproduced and introduced. In 1971, Lionel debuted a new electronic sound system in their engines, called "Mighty Sound of Steam," to replace the electro-mechanical air whistles of the pre-war and post-war eras. Top editors give you the stories you want delivered right to your inbox each weekday. Reply Delete. By 1991, the chain grew to 100 stores and was the fourth-largest toy retailer in the country, but once again ran into trouble due to a combination of factors. [3] The company's devotees disagree over the date of incorporation, as the official paperwork gives a date of September 5, but the paperwork was not filed until September 22, more than two weeks later. Lionel's departure from Utah's competitive toy market may benefit other retailers. At a wholesale price of .55 cents, the handcar's sales didn't provide enough profit to pay off Lionel's debts of $300,000; however, it did provide much-needed cash. In 1989 Robert I. Toussie L.P., a partnership of several retail executives, attempted to buy the company. In 1952, the Korean war caused a shortage of magnetic materials, so Lionel reissued the 726 as the 726rr (726 rerun). $18.00 . Location. On Monday, April 18, 1977, a trademark application was filed for LIONEL PLAYWORLD with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. [2] Meanwhile, Lionel's closest competitor also was fading: in January 1967, the parent company of rival American Flyer, the A. C. Gilbert Company, went bankrupt. He said while shoppers now may flock to Lionel to cash in on the clearance bargains, Hammond and other local toy retailers may inherit Lionel's customers in the long run. Beginning in the 1960s Lionel attempted to further diversify into other product lines, such as phonographs, science, weather station and plastics engineering kits while toy train sales continued to decline and with the company enduring a series of management turnovers. 04-12-2018, 07:00 PM JWHPROF : 1 posts, read 2,629 times Reputation: 15 . Company founder Joshua Cowen officially retired that same year. The ad said all sales are . Lionel Plug-and-Play Accessory Hook-Up. Here's a look at a few toy stores that aren't around anymore: Source: Comic Book, The Los Angeles Times. #LionelLeisureInc #LionelCorp #LionelKiddieCity #LionelPlayworld #LionelToyWarehouse #LionelLeisureCity #LionelToyTown #LionelToyCity #ToyCapitolOfTheWorld" Starting in 1915, Lionel followed most of its U.S. competitors and adopted the smaller O gauge standard for its budget-level trains. The first W.T. Jutenhoops. In reality it was the success of the more expensive but profitable 752E City of Portland Union Pacific Streamliner which not only gave the company much needed funds, but also as Lionel's first scale model, it gave the company considerable presence in the model market and showed the way forward with the start of the scale detailed die-cast look. Find jobs. All Rights Reserved. The Lionel toy stores (doing business as Lionel Kiddie City, Lionel Playworld, and, until 1990, Lionel Toy Warehouse) were American toy store chains under the ownership of Lionel Corporation. In its heyday, A&P had over 30,000 locations in the 1930s, and was one of the biggest, most successful businesses in the country. We understand how to make your playground fit the feel of a park. Shop Pay Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for 1982 PLAYWORLD / PLAYMATES WIND-UP CHOO-CHOO TRAIN at the best online prices at eBay! Here the FMV ($1,234) is for a Raw 9.6 comic. Zany Brainy had locations across Atlanta. These and other efforts to improve its financial standing were unable to keep Lionel from going into receivership in May 1934.[6]. Lionel Playworld Toy Store Commercial (1987) comments sorted by Best Top New Controversial Q&A Add a Comment Early department stores founded in the 19th century and early 20th centuries were revolutionary in their time, and their impact on the retail industry can still be seen today. Venmo The Kiddie City stores around Rochester remained . Lionel produced ads aimed at American teenagers, to begin planning their post-War layouts. What do you think? In December 1968 Ronald Saypol, Joshua Cowen's former grandson-in-law, became President and CEO of the Lionel Corporation, and in the following year, in an attempt to divest the company of what was by then determined to be a cash drain by the board and shareholders, began negotiations to sell their toy train line and lease the Lionel name to Model Products Corporation (MPC), a subsidiary of General Mills, Inc.[10] 1969 would be the final year the Lionel Corporation published a toy train catalog and manufactured O gauge trains. The chain's flagship store in Philadelphia was converted into a Macy's in 2006 and is now a national historic landmark. I remember a Zayres in Chicago and Lionel Playworld in Miami. Kinney Shoes was one of the specialty stores that Woolworth Corp, later named Venator Group Inc., decided to focus on after closing down its Woolworth locations. After several successive unprofitable quarters, it filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on June 14, 1991. In the early 1970s Lionel bought Morsan Tents from founder Mort Jarashaw. Reviews from Lionel Playworld employees about Lionel Playworld culture, salaries, benefits, work-life balance, management, job security, and more. Lionel ran into financial trouble during the early 1980s recession and filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in February 1982. Two red ones are roaming the canyon southwest of the Lake Tower. I wished my kids had the chance to experience this amazing toy store!great memories fo. The discount chain was once the fifth-largest retailer in the country, but it came to an end in a big way. In 1930, Lionel's operating profit dropped to $82,000 - its operating profit in 1927 had been more than $500,000 - and in 1931, it lost $207,000. #RetroToyStores #FL #Kaycee #LionelKiddieCity #LionelToyWarehouse #LionelToyCity #LionelToyTown (photo by Stephen Lee, Remembering LIONEL Playworld & Kiddie City toy stores, Facebook)" Lionel declined rapidly after 1956, because hobbyists preferred the smaller but more realistic HO scale trains, and children's interest shifted from toy trains to toy cars. Again, using this same cover (with the Playworld logo dropped in where the Elson's one appears here). Lionel bought the American Flyer brand name and product line in May of that year in a $150,000 deal; however, Lionel lacked the money to exploit them and filed bankruptcy less than four months later, on August 7, 1967. Location Illinois. Did anyone outside of Florida have Lionel Playworld? By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. An internal reorganization in 1973 caused Lionel to become part of General Mills' Fundimensions group, and a new line of scale-sized freight cars, called "Standard O", was introduced that same year. The national toy-store chain, Lionel Playworld, will soon close its four Utah stores in Salt Lake City, Midvale, Provo and Ogden. This group is FAMILY friendly like the stores. Child World said the merger was its . In 1989 Robert I. Toussie L.P., a partnership of several retail executives, attempted to buy the company. Each comic has the same cover art, but the background colors and the three-issue interiors are different for each book. In 1934, Lionel made a 1:45 scale model of Union Pacific's M10000 diesel streamliner (also called the city of Denver) that runs on O gauge track. The shop, though only 2,000 square feet, was right next to an AMC movie theater and Lionel Playworld in a high-profile area in Mesa. Toy trains and model railroads were its main claim to fame. It is distinctly known as the second-largest toy store chain in the United States. [5] The trains were considered a luxury item, and at the height of the Depression, one of Lionel's more extravagant locomotives cost as much as a used Ford Model T. In an effort to compete with companies which were willing to undercut Lionel's prices without diluting its premium Lionel and Ives brands, Lionel introduced a line of inexpensive electric toy trains under the Winner Toys' or Winner Toy Corp. brand name, which were sold from 1930 to 1932. We had several Playworlds but the Lionel name was unattached and had a smiling globe with a hat instead of the kangaroo. Kiddie City Toy Stores were started in the 1960s. My family didn't move to AZ until the end of 1980 and they didn't have such stores in the po-dunk town of Fond du Lac, WI, that I lived in before that. Lionel Kiddie City is an American toy store chain under the ownership of Lionel, LLC. Lionel's most popular toy train ever mass-produced was the Santa Fe F3, numbered 2333, released in 1948. Lionel specialized in various products throughout its existence. Salt Laker Susan Horman had brought her four children to Lionel's Brickyard store Saturday so they could write out their Christmas wish lists. And the double stitching on the neckline and sleeves add more durability to what is sure to be a favorite! The 763E and 700E are 1:48 scale models of 4-6-4 Hudsons. Access your favorite topics in a personalized feed while you're on the go. Playworld, Where Prices Go, So Low, Low, Low, Low, Low. The ad said all sales are final and told customers to bring cash or credit cards only, but didn't mention that the stores were being closed. "The Rise and Fall and Rise Again of Lionel Trains", "Made in Jersey: Lionel trains - chuggin' around the Christmas tree", "Ronald Saypol dies at 85; led model-train maker Lionel into retailing", One of the World's Largest and Most Prestigious Collecting Societies, "26750 23 Mile 1, Chesterfield Twp, MI 48051 (MLS ID 31279045)", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Lionel_Corporation&oldid=1129091783, This page was last edited on 23 December 2022, at 14:49. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. The Lionel Corporation, which owned dozens of stores by the name of Lionel Kiddie City and Playworld, was one of the most popular toy retailers in the country. Hours of Operation. In 1985, General Mills spun off its Kenner-Parker division, with Lionel being placed under Kenner-Parker. Trademark Overview. Discover Had that been the case, it was a short-lived greatness: Lionel's 1955 sales were some $23 million, while rival Marx's toy (more than just trains) sales were $50 million. Ames was started in 1958 in Massachusetts by brothers Milton and Irving Gilman. The building that housed the last Lionel office is located at 26750 23 Mile Road, Chesterfield, Michigan; as of March 31, 2017, the building was available for lease. . There's curious debate about the interiors. Woolworth, which opened in 1879 in Utica, New York, was one of the original discount stores, also known as five-and-dime stores at that time. Indicates that the user entered a raw comic with a grade of 9.6. Meanwhile, non-specialty discount stores expanded their toy sections and undercut the prices of specialty toy chains. The stores began selling all merchandise at reduced prices Sunday.A full-page ad in Sunday's Deseret News announced an "inventory clearance sale" with 20 to 40 percent off all merchandise. The deluxe kits included an electric AC motor with a worm drive and reduction gearset that was powered from household power. By submitting this review you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. Lionel started the postwar period in 1945 with a train set introducing remote-control uncoupling. . Copyright 2023 Deseret News Publishing Company. Lionel avoided bankruptcy and emerged from receivership the next year. But the Midvale manager and other managers refused to answer any other questions about the closures, referring all inquiries to the corporate headquarters in Philadelphia. Grant "25 Cent Store" opened in 1906 in Massachusetts and expanded to nearly 1,100 locations around the country. All Rights Reserved. Ernst Law Group: California Brain Injury Resources, Lisa Murray, Marriage and Family Therapist. Great for Girls, and Great for Boys. Let's treat everyone with respect. 1986 Belk-Roebuck Highway Straightottatown, NY - (opened June 12, 1990) - Has a Justice & Brothers section. Before there was Toys 'R' Us, children were begging their parents to take them to places like Lionel Kiddie City and Playworld. In 1970, after tooling purchased from the Lionel Corporation was moved to a new factory in Mt. website: 1020 Palm St San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 US, 1015 Chestnut St Suite 1400Philadelphia, PA 19107 US, 135 Ballston Ave Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 US. For a time it was the second-largest toy store chain in the United States. All Rights Reserved, LIONEL PLAYWORLD BEGINS SHUTTING ITS DOORS IN UTAH, The 2023 Utah Legislature has wrapped. Whilst a number of equally successful streamliners were issued in the following years, the handcar experiment was not repeated and the novelty market was left to the cheaper toy manufacturers. I was just remembering all the places I bought toys at. Objects. By the early 1980s, Lionel operated 150 stores, under the names Lionel Kiddie City, Lionel Playworld, and Lionel Toy Warehouse (rebranded as Lionel Kiddie . By 1991, the chain had regrown to 100 stores and was the fourth-largest toy retailer in the country, but it once again ran into trouble[clarification needed] due to a combination of factors. Here are a few familiar names that might have delighted you as a kid, but that no longer exist. By February 1993 Lionel had closed all but 29 stores in six states, concentrating on the markets of Philadelphia, central New Jersey, Baltimore, Washington, D.C., Cleveland, Ohio and south Florida. Enter the email address you signed up with and we'll email you a reset link. Over 100 years after the first Woolworth discount store opened its doors, the corporation (renamed Venator Group Inc. in 1998), closed the chain and decided to focus on their smaller sporting goods stores instead, according to the Associated Press. When John Wanamaker opened one of the first department stores in the US in 1874 in Philadelphia, he had profound effects on the retail industry's advertising and marketing practices. 1111 Rochester Lane, Tacoma, WA - (opened July 17, 2015) - Has a a Justice & Brothers section. ???? The Lionel Santa Fe 2333 Diesel locomotive, an EMD F3 in the colorful Santa Fe "Warbonnet" paint scheme that was introduced in 1948, became the Lionel company icon and the icon of the era, and the 2343, 2383, and 2353 Santa Fe F3's even improved on it. The Lionel Corporation itself would continue as a holding company, investing in various chains of retail stores and electronics companies while receiving royalties on toy train sales made by General Mills (later Lionel Trains, Inc.). After several successive unprofitable quarters, it filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on June 14, 1991. At its peak in the early 20th century, A&P was one of the world's largest retailers, with more than 15,000 grocery stores. Kiddie City Toy Stores were started in the 1960s. For the model train line and current incarnation, see. Organizing or finding the circular pages and . For a time it was the . In 1947, Lionel produced a model of the Pennsylvania Railroad's GG1. In 1969, they sold their model train lines to General Mills, but continued to operate until 1993 as a holding company for their toy stores. Before we were combing the aisles of our local discount store for the steal of the century, many of our grandparents could be found doing the same at a store called Zayre. One of the biggest toy retailers in Utah is shutting its doors just in time to give bargains to early Christmas shoppers. [6], The Great Depression badly hurt Lionel. July 1993, Lionel Kiddie City & Playworld; Shop Lionel (Kiddie City/Playworld), toy capital of the world! Kiddie City Toy Stores were started in the 1960s. Best of the Web is an online platform connecting businesses and consumers backed by our team of editors. They were busy snatching up marked-down items. This Gildan Unisex Basic Softstyle t-shirt is made of a thicker, heavier cotton, but it's still soft and comfy. [verification needed] [1] In 1992 Lionel attempted to reverse its fortunes by merging with the bankrupt Child World, the United States' #3 toy retailer, but was unable to secure financing. From 1946 through 1949, Lionel issued the 726 2-8-4 Berkshire, which is a prized item today. By the early 1980s, Lionel operated 150 stores, under the names Lionel Kiddie City, Lionel Playworld, and Lionel Toy Warehouse. Lionel, which filed for Chapter 11 in June 1991, operates a chain of toy stores under the names Lionel Playworld, Lionel Kiddie City and Lionel Toy Warehouse. See Lionel, LLC. Playworld, A World of Toys. The Philadelphia-based Lionel Leisure Inc. also is closing its other toy stores in the West, they said. The structural elements were hollow beams of square cross section made from folded and quite thin sheet aluminum, as a consequence subject to destruction if stepped upon. [23] According to a report from the local fire department, it took 100 firefighters to extinguish the blaze. USA Store Fanon Wikia is a FANDOM Lifestyle Community. Lionel, LLC currently owns all trademarks and most of the rights associated with the Lionel Corporation. The interior of the Lionel Playworld showcases some playsets for matchbox cars. Our deep breadth of upgradeable products - from low to high fidelity - means you can find the right training solution Cowen convinced department stores to incorporate his toy trains in their Christmas displays, linking toy trains to the holiday, and making them popular Christmas presents. Upload your resume . A more substantial folded aluminum base plate was used to form the foundation of most constructions, and additional circular plates could be used to construct larger wheels or pivots. . The Red Comet and Blue Streak sets included models of New York Central's Commodore Vanderbilt locomotive. This new wheel design, coupled with the use of Delrin plastic trucks, reduced rolling friction that allowed for longer trains to be run and is still in use by Lionel today. You STILL grew up in Miami if you remember. The business direction of the Lionel company changed: it added subsidiary companies unrelated to toy train sets among them were Dale Electronics, Sterling Electric Motors, and Telerad Manufacturing. . Also definitely not a Phoenix business , but the Gentle Strength co-op in Tempe on University . But after changing ownership multiple times, the chain folded and went out of business in the early 1980s. Corporate spokesman Joel Weiner said it is the company's policy to refer all calls to him, but he also refused to comment. View community ranking In the Top 5% of largest communities on Reddit. Indicates a raw comic with no sales info available at any condition range. The Lionel trademarks were purchased by Richard Kughn, a Detroit real estate magnate who had bought the Lionel product line from General Mills in 1986. Hammond, who heads Hammond's wholesale division, also manages the firm's Midvale store, 1088 E. Fort Union Blvd. Are you sure you wish to report this review as abusive, offensive or otherwise not appropriate for this website? [6] Many diesel, electric, and steam engines made after 1950 had Lionel's Magne-Traction, which made the wheels magnetic to grip the track better. By 1953 Lionel profits reached their highest level, during postwar, at over $32 million. Susan Datz Edelman, who handles investor . By the early 1980s, Lionel operated some 150 stores, under the names Toy City, Lionel Kiddie City, Lionel Playworld, Lionel Toy Warehouse, and Lionel Toy Town.