blog
Notes from the floor.
Strategy notes, behind-the-scenes, and the occasional rant from three decades inside independent toy retail.
Your Customers Already Know About Wingspan. Do You?
A TikTok video asked if anyone actually knows about Wingspan. I went to Google Trends and found the answer: Wingspan is now searched just as often as Ticket to Ride. The demand is real, and it's grow…
Why Games? Three Concerns, Three Honest Answers
My best Toy Fair find ever was not a toy
Las Vegas Winter Market Recap: Exciting Relief
This Game is Way Better Than Jenga (Kabuto Sumo Review)
Kabuto Sumo is the dexterity game that surprised me... frankly because I typically don't enjoy dexterity games. In this video, I break down what makes Kabuto Sumo stand out for families and why it’s…
I learned this game in 60 seconds (Waddle Review)
Waddle is an abstract family strategy game that’s easy to teach, surprisingly deep, and perfect for families or anyone looking to introduce new players to the hobby.
Jewel Box by Lovemore Games – A Smart Step Up from Uno
What do you show a customer who’s ready to move past Uno, but not quite ready for Dominion? Enter Jewel Box — a light, approachable strategy game that brings real beetle behaviors into clever, compet…
