Ages 6+:
Genius
Square. “It’s
a game you
can play by
yourself or
with some-
one and be
competitive.”

GIFT GUIDE

I

t was only October, but
employees at area toy store
Toyology were already hard
at work wrapping Chanukah
presents. Between the holiday
starting early this year and the
news of supply chain shortages
blaring on everyone’s news feeds,
customers were getting a jump
on their Chanukah shopping.
“People are nervous
they’re going to miss
out on all the great
toys,
” says Nori Klar,
who owns Toyology
with her sons Jonathan
and Aric.
In preparation for
this holiday season, she
ordered the bulk of the
toys in June, in hopes
they’
d arrive in time.
Usually, she has several more
months to make purchases, and
more certainty that what she’s
ordered is on its way. “II could
place an order and maybe initial-
ly only 20-30% would come in.
The rest would trickle in or never
arrive,
” she explains.
Supply chain and shipping
woes around the globe have
disrupted the usual flow of trade
that brings presents and other

goods into the country. That
means longer wait times, price
increases and having to be more
creative when it comes to stock-
ing the shelves.
“The nice part about being an
independent toy store is that I
can flip very quickly,
” she says,
explaining that unlike big-box
retailers, she doesn’t have to just
wait for boats carrying specific
toys to dock to get presents into
people’s hands. Having a network
of small toy companies she can
count on is more important than
ever, she explains. “It’s never been
like this before.
”
So far, her planning has paid
off. The store’s three locations in
West Bloomfield, Royal Oak and
Bloomfield Hills are stocked and
able to readily welcome shoppers
eager to pick out the perfect
presents for their children and
grandchildren.
“Chanukah’s here. It’s going to
be really strong, we’re going to
have toys,
” she says. “It’s the holi-
day season, the joy of giving.
”
This year’s gifts are trending
more multi-generational, as
people are spending more time
at home with their families and
playing together. Whether it’s

Shop early this year to get the
perfect toy at Toyology.

Time to
Get the Toys

continued on page 38

KAREN SCHWARTZ CONTRIBUTING WRITER



For 3-5-year-olds:
Pancake Monster and Kablocks Blast
“They’re perfect for 3, 4 and 5-year-olds
who like to be active,” Klar says.

Nori Klar

36 | NOVEMBER 11 • 2021