My Best Sellers: Toys in the Attic

Fairy Tales and Ferris Wheels Make Customers Happy

By Christine Lebednik
September 2007

Although Owner Lynn Robillard of Toys in the Attic in Manchester, Vt., had a hard time pinning down individual best-selling items, there’s no shortage of customer excitement for many of the brands in her store. Here are selected products from what she named as the top-10 best-selling lines, in descending order.

And to learn how Robillard’s store got off the ground, see Retailer Spotlight: Toys in the Attic.

Garbage Truck - Green by BRUDER TOYS AMERICA INC.

This garbage truck features a trash compactor and a back end that tilts up to dump the truck contents. Each truck features tread tires and two small trash bins. “This toy is fully functional and designed to be used just like the truck in real life. This kind of classic play pattern allows for open-ended play that encourages children to think creatively and use their imagination. The basic controls and actions of the truck will need to be learned by younger children, giving them a chance to watch themselves succeed,” Noah McKiernan of Bruder Toys told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2003.
— Michelle Deutschmann, owner of Kaleidoscope Toys in Falmouth, Mass., told TDmonthly that Bruder has been a best seller ever since she opened her toy store.
— Lynn Robillard told TDmonthly in summer 2007 that the second best-selling line at her store, Toys in the Attic in Manchester, Vt., is Bruder trucks, which customers like because they are plastic and can be left outside.
— “Big, beautiful trucks from Bruder [are] going to make great Christmas gifts,” Rick Henry of Stellabella Toys in Cambridge, Mass. told TDmonthly. 2/23/2007 (MSRP: $65.00; Age: 3 and Up)

LEGO Monster Dino by LEGO

LEGO Monster Dino by LEGO Kids assemble the LEGO pieces to create a glow in the dark dinosaur that walks, moves his head and roars with the help of the new LEGO power system. These versatile pieces can be torn down and built back up, bringing to life many creations, including a walking spider and a crawling crocodile. Constructive play is a wonderful way for children to exercise their imagination, creativity, identification, and image mapping skills. The set includes a battery box, two motors, a remote control and an additional sensor. Launch date: August 2007.
— LEGO sells well “across the line” at Toys in the Attic in Manchester, Vt., Owner Lynn Robillard told TDmonthly in summer 2007 about the best-selling collection. 6/12/2007 (MSRP: $89.99; Age: 9 to 12)

Double Ferris Wheel by K'NEX BRANDS

Double Ferris Wheel by K The ultimate in thrill ride fun, the K'NEX Double Ferris Wheel has more than 850 pieces and stands over 3’ tall. Kids can create an exciting, high-powered ride that features two star-shaped wheels that spin in opposite directions. The set features brighter colors, new micro-sized K'NEX parts and the new genuine K'NEX bricks, plus one of the company’s most powerful motors that spins the giant motorized wheels in opposite directions. The set requires two AA batteries (not included).
— The K’NEX Ferris Wheel is a best seller at Toys in the Attic in Manchester, Vt., Owner Lynn Robillard told TDmonthly in summer 2007. She said the line of battery-operated construction products is popular in her store. 7/27/2007 (Age: 8 and Up)

Webkinz Black Stallion by GANZ

This black horse is gentle, mysterious and beautiful — the perfect pal to share secrets and stories with. In the online Webkinz World, the Black Stallion loves to cook. Its special item is the hay bale sofa and its special food is the horseshoe huckleberry hotcakes.
— Lynn Robillard, owner of Toys in the Attic in Manchester, Vt., told TDmonthly that when they’re available, Webkinz are one of her top-10 best-selling product lines.
— These computer-savvy plush pals take fourth place for best-selling toys at Red Wagon Toy Co. in Woodstock, Vt., according to Owner Kim Smith, who spoke with TDmonthly in summer 2007. 7/27/2007 (MSRP: $10.99; Age: 6 and Up)

Deluxe Wooden Fold & Go Dollhouse by MELISSA & DOUG

The Fold & Go is a roomy portable dollhouse that features working doors, two flexible wooden play figures, 11 wooden furniture pieces and easy-access design, as well as a convenient carrying handle. It's an adorable "mobile home" that's solid, lightweight and built to last. The Fold & Go measures 11.5" x 16" x 10" and weighs 6 lbs.
— "We have a Melissa & Doug Fold & Go Dollhouse that does real well for us," said Joel Hardy, owner of Magpie Toys in Red Lodge, Mont., when asked about play house favorites in his store.
— Seventeen of 62 retailers TDmonthly spoke with in spring 2007 cited Melissa & Doug when asked about play house and furniture favorites with their customers.
— Lynn Robillard told TDmonthly in summer 2007 that Melissa & Doug wooden items are top sellers at her store, Toys in the Attic in Manchester, Vt., for many reasons: They are non-toxic and the company is diverse, including “arts and crafts, magnetic dolls and a huge array of everything imaginable.” 6/15/2007 (MSRP: $29.99; Age: 3 and Up)

Bart's Pride Bay Horse by DOUGLAS CUDDLE TOYS

This cuddly horse stands 10” tall and wears a red and black plaid stable blanket.
— Douglas plush products, especially horses, are best sellers at Toys in the Attic in Manchester, Vt., Owner Lynn Robillard told TDmonthly in summer 2007. 7/27/2007 (MSRP: $12.00)

The Hare and the Tortoise and other Fables from la Fontaine by BAREFOOT BOOKS

A landmark in the translation of French poetry, these translated fables will entertain and bestow upon kids important life lessons. Award-winning translator Ranjit Bolt has chosen the cream of La Fontaine’s fables, presenting each entry in lyrical, witty and light-hearted verse. This 64-page book features full-color illustrations by Giselle Potter. Launch date: September 2006.
— Barefoot Books, especially fairy tale titles, are best sellers at Toys in the Attic in Manchester, Vt., Owner Lynn Robillard told TDmonthly in summer 2007. 6/18/2007 (MSRP: $19.99; Age: 5 and Up)

Baby Marionette – Moose by SUNNY & CO. TOYS, INC.

Baby Marionette – Moose by SUNNY & CO. TOYS, INC. This string puppet has an airplane-type control that, when rocked side-to-side like an airplane dipping its wings, causes the puppet to walk or dance. It measures approximately 12” from the control to the feet.
— Owner Lynn Robillard of Toys in the Attic in Manchester, Vt., told TDmonthly in summer 2007 that marionettes from Sunny & Co. are a best-selling product line in her store. The smaller ones sell better than the larger she said, and the absolute favorite is “a toss up between the deer and the moose.” 7/27/2007 (MSRP: $7.95)