shopping Acorn Toy Shop Shortfilm: Uzbek Food in NYC Poll: VP
Karin Schaefer, who opened Acorn, 323 Atlantic Ave. [Smith/ Hoyt] 718.522.3760, in 2004 with her partner, Diane Crespo, says, "As a child I lived in England, Holland and Germany where there are long traditions of making hand-crafted wooden toys. I also went to a Waldorf school where, as a student, you paint, sculpt, sew and knit, so I grew up being interested in handmade things."
That's the vibe of this small charmer, filled with toys made of non-toxic, environmentally sustainable materials, created by artisans from all over the world.
The test, though, is will the kids love the toys? They will. Blocks have never looked so good—there are colorful batches made by hand in Germany, Braille blocks and Tegu blocks, made in Tegucigalpa, that take a star turn with unblocky shapes.
Not many rides from Detroit are as cool-looking as the scooters and pushcars the store carries.
Books, puzzles, mobiles, nightlights, tents, clothing and stuffed animals round out the mix. All good stuff for the growth of mighty oaks.