In 1988, Zayre Corp. sold its 392 department stores to the Ames chain in order to focus solely on its merge with TJX Companies. Manage all your favorite fandoms in one place! Sharing memories of LIONEL toy stores. [4], It was historically thought that Lionel's first train, the Electric Express, was not intended for sale to consumers, but rather, as a storefront display. The Logo for playworld was a kangaroo and her joey, funny they got smashed by a giraffe, lol---- Lionel Corporation - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia By the early 1980s, Lionel operated some 150 stores [12], under the names Toy City, Lionel Kiddie City, Lionel Playworld, Lionel Toy Warehouse, and Lionel Toy Town. I remember going almost every Saturday with my dad to Toys R Us and Playworld. GitHub export from English Wikipedia. Lionel responded by targeting advertising at children, telling them its products were the most realistic toy trains. The building had been vacant for ten years and was in a state of disrepair, according to Fire Chief Don Huber. In 1975, Lionel introduced a 75th anniversary freight set that consisted of their U36B diesel engine and rolling stock that included images of catalog covers and logos from Lionel's past. It was followed by a model of the city of Denver's successor, the city of Portland. There are others around the world and you can see them . After reducing itself in size to 55 stores, it emerged from bankruptcy in September 1985. 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. Let Lionel (Kiddie City/Playworld) turn that frown upside down! 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. 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. Lionel Store; Support; Lionel Play World Amusement Park Swing Ride A staple of carnivals and county fairs, the swing ride continues the series of Lionel amusement park favorites. Toy trains and model railroads were its main claim to fame. By submitting this review you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. [2] 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. 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. "When the Lights Went out at Lionel", Liebeck, Laura: "Deja vu all over again: Lionel re-visits Chapter 11", Discount Store News July 8, 1991, "Liquidations leave Toy's R US, Kay-Bee toying alone", Discount Store News, July 5, 1993, "Lionel Leisure 'branches out': toy retailer acquires part ownership of closeouter", Discount Store News, September 17, 1990, Liebeck, Laura: "Child World is grounded: rescue by Lionel falters", Discount Store News, August 3, 1992, "Lionel closing 27 stores in struggle for survival", Discount Store News, February 1, 1993, Last edited on 23 December 2022, at 14:49. none. "Michael J. Vastola & Mark Katz visit LIONEL KIDDIE CITY on Bustleton Avenue in Philadelphia Pennsylvania, March 28, 1984. 100% ring-spun cotton 4.5 oz/yd (153 g/m) Pre-shrunk Shoulder-to-shoulder taping Quarter-turned to avoid crease down the center, American Express Currently, the iconic building houses a wide variety of tenants, including Facebook and AOL. The Lionel trademarks were purchased by Richard Kughn, a real estate magnate who had bought the Lionel model train line from General Mills in 1986. Park-specific features: Playworld creates playground equipment for a variety of locations, from schools to churches and more. 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. 1111 Rochester Lane, Tacoma, WA - (opened July 17, 2015) - Has a a Justice & Brothers section. For the model train line and current incarnation, see. [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. The product widely credited with saving the company was a wind-up handcar featuring Mickey and Minnie Mouse which operated on O gauge track, and sold for $1. [6], The 19461956 decade was Lionel's Golden Age. Services We Offer. We had several Playworlds but the Lionel name was unattached and had a smiling globe with a hat instead of the kangaroo. Locations Primary 1000 Buffalo Road Lewisburg, PA 17837, US Get directions Employees at Playworld Inc. . Location. The deluxe kits included an electric AC motor with a worm drive and reduction gearset that was powered from household power. The locomotive was the 224, a pre-war carryover 2-6-2 prairie. Lynels also carry Bows with them that fire a range of . 725 W Redbridge Street Albany, NY - (Opened January 22, 1988) - Has a Justice & Brothers/Disney section. Heres what you need to know, Japanese official denies Lee statement on commitment to expedite release of Lt. Ridge Alkonis, Utah Legislature finalizes record $29B budget. 1986 Belk-Roebuck Highway Straightottatown, NY - (opened June 12, 1990) - Has a Justice & Brothers section. For a time it was the second-largest toy store chain in the United States. 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. USA Store Fanon Wikia is a FANDOM Lifestyle Community. Access your favorite topics in a personalized feed while you're on the go. [25] The former Lionel assembly factory was located at 50625 Richard W. Blvd, Chesterfield a short drive from the office building. This toy-related article is a stub. Procrastination had become key as i was wondering how i was to present them here. The Woolworth corporation sold everything from dishcloths to stationary for less than 10 cents. 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. Hours of Operation. For a time it was the second-largest toy store chain in the United States. [verification needed] The ride slowly builds in speed, thrilling its riders as the seats swing further out. As a direct descendant of the pre-war 763E locomotive, in 1950, Lionel released the 773, another scale Hudson. Auto Racing & Speedways - Long Sleeve Tees, Department & Discount Stores - Long Sleeve Tees, Department & Discount Stores - Raglan Tees, Department & Discount Stores - Sweatshirts, Home Improvement Stores - Long Sleeve Tees. Was formerly Hills/Ames. The brand rose to prominence in 1976 following a series of television commercials featuring Johnny Cash, himself a Lionel collector.[16]. ???? The ad said all sales are . In 1952, the Korean war caused a shortage of magnetic materials, so Lionel reissued the 726 as the 726rr (726 rerun). In its segment "Who Made America?," PBS called Wanamaker's department stores "palaces of consumption that turned shopping into an event for ordinary people.". Venator Group Inc. ultimately changed its name to Foot Locker Inc. in 2001. The USPTO has given the LIONEL PLAYWORLD trademark a serial number of 73123040. Lionel Corporation was an American toy manufacturer and holding company of retailers that had been in business for over 120 years. 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. What is Taoyuan Zipcode Format? Plenty of toy stores have been relegated to the proverbial retail attic over the years. 1460 Chester Road, Yulee, FL - (opened May 9, 2013) - Has a Justice & Brothers section. 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. Lionel Playworld was owned and operated by Lionel Corporation. The Red Comet and Blue Streak sets included models of New York Central's Commodore Vanderbilt locomotive. Reviews from Lionel Playworld employees about Lionel Playworld culture, salaries, benefits, work-life balance, management, job security, and more. The Lionel brand name continues today, owned by Lionel, LLC, yet many Lionel train enthusiasts consider 1969 the end of the "true Lionel trains", due to the original Lionel Corporation divesting itself of toy train production and the changes in design and manufacture, sometimes for the worse, under Lionel trains' new owners.[6]. It was a small chain of sporting goods stores based in New Jersey, which became Lionel Morsan. [18] Additionally, Lionel found it difficult to compete on price with the larger Toys "R" Us, and it attempted to expand too rapidly in a weakened economy. On Monday, April 18, 1977, a trademark application was filed for LIONEL PLAYWORLD with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Zany Brainy had locations across Atlanta. Locations. 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. The family-owned local firm suffered three slow years, but last year Christmas sales improved and 1991 looks even better, Hammond said. Meanwhile, non-specialty discount stores expanded their toy sections and undercut the prices of specialty toy chains. The store's famous Christmas window decorations began in 1897 as a toy display. 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. As the 1950s progressed, Lionel sales began to decline in proportion to the growing prevalence of space and military-themed toys and slot car racing sets all coinciding with the decline in rail travel and the launching of Sputnik, which began the space-race between the United States and Soviet Union, along with their associated military build-up as the Cold War progressed after World War II. Reply Delete. Mc Crorys or Woolworths, Waldenbooks and playing games at Gold Mine or Tilt. [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. While innovative, the lack of general purpose beam members with enough holes limited the adaptability of the set to complex constructions. Photos of both New Jersey factories in derelict state prior to their demise can be seen at the ihorse.com Web site. In 1969, Lionel's sales had declined to just over $1 million per year. The Lionel Corporation was on the right track for decades, opening in 1900 and chugging along until the '90s. Salt Laker Susan Horman had brought her four children to Lionel's Brickyard store Saturday so they could write out their Christmas wish lists. For a time it was the second-largest toy store chain in the United States. By 1953 Lionel profits reached their highest level, during postwar, at over $32 million. I know this is dead but my brother worked in that one when I was a kid, Im trying to find out too. Was formerly a Kmart store. "When the Lights Went out at Lionel, All Aboard! 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. Here are a few familiar names that might have delighted you as a kid, but that no longer exist. 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. . 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. Email acain@businessinsider.com. Ferkauf's business model of selling high volumes of products at deep discounts 10% to 40% below other conventional stores with quick turnover can still be seen in today's retail landscape with big businesses like Walmart and Costco, according to the New York Times. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts.