Talbot’s Toyland to shut: ‘a sad day’

Ever since the closing sign went up last week, Keith Schumacker, the general manager of Talbot’s Toyland in San Mateo who has worked at the store since he was 15, has been coming to terms with the loss while also consoling distraught customers.

“People have been coming in and saying, oh, my god, I remember buying my first train set, or my first toy from you. It’s a sad day for all of us,” Schumacker, 43, said.

A fixture for 66 years on the corner of East Fifth Avenue and South B Street, the toy store is set to close at the end of January or midFebruary, Schumacker said. The closure is a result of a combination of factors, including the rise in online shopping and the large size of the store.

“We’ve had a great run, and it’s time

to retire,” Schumacker said.

The 15,000squarefoot store is home to thousands of toys, but these days parents do not stroll the aisles for toys on weekdays as often as they once did. Years ago, when stayathome parents were the norm, more people came in during workdays, Schumacker said, but as the cost of living rose, so did the demand for both parents to work.

“Now when mom and dad get home, it’s already 6 p.m., and that’s around when we close,” he said. “It’s understandable that they turn online, we’re not blaming anyone.”

What also hurt was the closure this year of nearby Talbot’s Cyclery: “People thought Talbot’s Toys was closed, too,” he said.

Steve Moore is a thirdgeneration owner of the toy store. His wife, Shirley, who is coowner and works at the store, did not return calls for comment. Members of the Moore family, including Gary Moore, previous owner of the recently closed Talbot’s Cyclery, own the building, property records show.

Schumacker said Talbot’s Toyland looked into reducing the size of the store and starting an ecommerce site, but neither panned out. The store has a website but does not sell toys online. The store employs 23 people, and the majority of them have employment benefits, he said.

“The owners have been great,” Schumacker said, noting their generosity with benefits, including a 401K match.

He plans to take at least a month off and is debating whether to stay in the toy business or switch to real estate.

“I’ve had some people reach out already, and I’d love to stay in the toy industry. It’s a lot of fun, but we’ll see,” he said.

Google Street View Talbot’s Toyland in San Mateo is closing in the next few weeks after more than half a century. The rise in online shopping and the store’s size helped lead to its struggles.

Talbot’s Toyland Talbot’s Toyland in San Mateo, as seen in a bygone era. The store was founded in 1953 by Betty and Lank Talbot.