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