Toy Joy to Move Airport Location to Burnet Road
... and they're bringing candy!
By Richard Whittaker, 4:00PM, Thu. Jun. 15, 2023
Burnet Road is about to get slimed: Yes, the signature pink-and-green splat of independent vendors of distractions and decorations, Toy Joy, will cover its newest store when it opens on July 1, just in time for the store's 36th anniversary.
The clues were there: A "moving soon" banner was already hanging over the Toy Joy location on Airport, while the trademark yowling head of Otto, their black cat mascot, was already sighted on the digital sign of the vacant storefront at 5501 Burnet. Now its confirmed: The Airport store will be moving to the Burnet location, and be bigger and more joyous than ever.
Founded in 1987, many Austinites first knew the 21-time Best of Austin award-winning Toy Joy from wending through the packed aisles of its old location at 29th and Guadalupe, where there were often more undergrads than kids. In 2013, the store relocated to Second Street – a move that initially caused concerns about their long term viability but that eventually paid off enough that they were able to add a coffee, candy, and ice cream store, Yummi Joy, and open a second location on Airport, plus (slightly confusingly), one at the airport - opposite gate 11 at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport.
Now they're moving out of the Airport store (don't worry, nothing is happening to the very successful and popular Downtown location or the ABIA site) and closer to the big population centers of Burnet, Crestview, Allendale, and Wooten, as well as joining the community of independent and funky stores that make up the burgeoning LoBurn IBIZ shopping district.
Formerly the brick-and-mortar location of Karavel Shoes (which relocated earlier this year to the former West Anderson site of Discount Electronics), the new site will also contain a second location for Yummi Joy, and that's just the beginning. Partner, COO and principal toy curator Robby Pettinato explained, “This new location will feature an ‘events loft’ where we can better host regular gatherings of game and hobby enthusiasts like Dungeons & Dragons game nights, Gundam model-building groups, toy swaps, birthday parties, and more.”
Celebrating the move, company CEO Teghan Hahn wrote, “We are very thankful that, as a company and with our unique brands, we weathered the past few tough years for indie retail. We are excited to join other iconic Austin businesses in the district and deliver our fun toys and treats to what is now our third generation of customers in a great new space."
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