Your Last Stop For The Best Collectibles On The Planet!
That’s the Joys & Toys tagline…and it might just be accurate! Located at 53 South York Road in Hatboro, Joys & Toys oozes nostalgia and if you can’t find what you are looking for there, you might not be able to find it!
For the avid collector, or the casual browser that’s looking to take a trip back in time, Joys & Toys doesn’t disappoint. Visitors will find exciting walkways brimming with collectibles going back several decades. Just about every square inch of space in the store is filled with rare finds and the biggest and best collection of quality vinyl records in the tri-state area. “We are a small business in a small town and love being in the heart of Hatboro,” states store manager Karen Nicolo. “And, as if what we offer our customers isn’t fun enough, we also physically occupy a piece of land (with our fellow shop neighbors) that is rich in history as well.”
Owned and operated by Jon Morrissette, Joys & Toys will be celebrating 30 years of business in Hatboro this month. Jon opened his store on Oct. 5, 1990 and on Saturday, October 17th he and Karen will be celebrating their success and the story behind the store that truly has brought joy to thousands over the years! This celebration is being planned to include community members and the history of their business and Hatboro. Be sure to follow them on Facebook (www.facebook/joystoyspa ) and Instagram – #joystoyspa to keep up to date on the details of their big event and to learn more about their history and current offerings. Have a specific question about their inventory? Feel free to call 215-675-2880 to see if they have what you are searching for!
The Story & History behind Joys & Toys
It started over 30 years ago when Jon met and fell in love with Marsha Goodwin. They both had a passion for vintage collectibles — Marsha loving dolls, Barbies and glassware – and Jon being interested in records, Tin Toys and Popeye collectibles. Together, they decided to open a small shop on the outskirts of Hatboro and within two years they out grew their space and found their permanent home at 53 S. York Road — in the heart of Hatboro. That was 30 years ago.
Unfortunately, tragedy struck in 2006 when Marsha died suddenly — leaving behind not only Jon but also Marsha’s two children Michelle & Steven. Jon was devastated and uncertain if he could continue with the shop that held all the precious memories of him and Marsha. However, after mourning Marsha’s passing, he realized he wanted to keep her memory alive by keeping the store going.
In 2007 long-time Hatboro local, Karen Nicolo was hired to help Jon keep the doors open and the lights on…at first. However, over the years she has become Jon’s business partner and has helped the store grow into what it has become today.
Through the years Joys & Toys has truly become known as a Hatboro “staple” based on its location in town and for its reputation among collector enthusiasts. Jon continues to buy, sell and fill the store with fun collectibles and records that attract new customers and keep their loyal customers coming back for more. Joys & Toys pulls customers from the Borough, the tri-state area and even worldwide! They have several international customers that make sure to dedicate at least one day on their vacation calendar to visit the store.
Joys & Toys Historic Location
One of the things Jon and Karen enjoy about being part of the Hatboro business community is being part of the history that took place in this small town. The land on which the current store is located is said to be the spot where the third library of the 13 colonies was first located. Later it became a local pub, and it is also said that George Washington and his troops would sometimes stop in on their trips between New Jersey & Philadelphia. The Battle of Crooked Billet took place on soil near the current location of the store and today a commemorative plaque can be found on display on the exterior of their building. Currently their store shares land with the famous Lochel’s Bakery, and at one point also shared real estate with Winships Clock Shop – the shop that was in charge of restoring the Lukens clock tower clock (built in 1812) located in what is now Borough Hall.
