Showing posts with label Toys. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Toys. Show all posts

Saturday, June 18, 2022

Electronic Arcade Crazy Golf

New in the Crazy Golf Museum - Electronic Arcade Crazy Golf by Ambassador.


Electronic Arcade Crazy Golf by Ambassador
A brilliant car boot sale find this morning

Electronic Arcade Crazy Golf by Ambassador
Electronic Arcade Crazy Golf - see a video of the game in action

Electronic Arcade Crazy Golf by Ambassador
You get a nice pad of scorecards in the game

Friday, October 29, 2021

Toys R Us is returning to the UK

New Toys R Us stores opening in the UK.


Toys R Us in Northampton
Toys R Us in Northampton, June 2021

While Toys R Us stores have been closed in the UK since 2018 the brand has lived on in one form or another in other parts of the world.

The new version of Toys R Us will be opening by Toys R Us ANZ who relaunched the business in Australia in 2019. They plan to rollout the brand with an online and physical retail presence in 2022 and 2023.

Toys R Us closed in the UK in April 2018. It's been very interesting to find that there are still remnants of the brand on some retail parks in the UK and we've visited a number of these closed, abandoned, derelict and demolished Toys R Us locations on our travels.

Toys R Us in Stockton-on-Tees
Toys R Us in Stockton-on-Tees, April 2021

Working at Toys R Us

My first job while at university in the year 2000 was as one of Geoffrey's helpers at the Luton store. I worked on the video game and electronics section.

Toys R Us in Basingstoke
Toys R Us in Basingstoke, May 2021

Visiting Toys R Us

With a keen interest in old and defunct brands we've visited a number of former Toys R Us sites over the last couple of years, the latest being in Norwich and Ipswich.


Toys R Us in Milton Keynes
Toys R Us in Milton Keynes, June 2021


Toys R Us in Southampton
Toys R Us in Southampton, May 2021

The future of Toys R Us

It'll be interesting to see what the future holds for Toys R Us and how the relaunch in the UK will go.

As can be seen, some of the former locations are still vacant, while others have been let to new shops. Some former Toys R Us stores have been pulled down, with others converted to retailtainment centres featuring trampoline parks and minigolf courses.

Toys R Us in Northampton
It'll be interesting to shop at Toys R Us again in the future

Sunday, July 18, 2021

A RadioShack blast from the past

How cool is this RadioShack radio controlled truck?


RadioShack Radio Controlled Tractor Trailer Truck from 1979

I found it in a retro shop in Bristol on my recent visit to the city.

It's in superb condition. Especially when you consider it's from 1979!

A very nice piece of retail history.

My first job was at a Tandy shop back in the late 1990's and I sold lots of RadioShack products, including radio controlled cars and trucks.

Monday, September 07, 2020

Lost shops - Toys R Us in Preston, Lancashire

September 2020 - Toys R Us still exists. Kind of.


Toys R Us at the Deepdale shopping centre in Preston

Toys R Us ceased trading in the UK in April 2018. I worked there back in the year 2000.

Toys R Us at the Deepdale shopping centre in Preston
It's always interesting to see signs from lost brands

This store is in Preston, Lancashire.

Toys R Us at the Deepdale shopping centre in Preston
Toys R Us at the Deepdale shopping centre in Preston

Apart from one ghost sign on the side of the building where the raised letters have been removed it looks like it could've still been open.

Ghost signs

A busy car park

A colourful store front

Toys R Us in Preston, Lancashire
Welcome to Toys R Us

Toys R Us in Preston, Lancashire
This store is now closed

Toys R Us in Preston, Lancashire
The entrance

Toys R Us in Preston, Lancashire
A nice sign on the right of the building

Toys R Us in Preston, Lancashire
At the exit

Toys R Us in Preston, Lancashire
The exit doors

Toys R Us in Preston, Lancashire
A piece of ephemera 

Toys R Us in Preston, Lancashire
Remnants

Toys R Us in Preston, Lancashire
A branded electricity substation

There have been plans for the old Toys R Us at the Deepdale shopping centre to be converted into a gym or a Sports Direct. But at the moment it's still there as something of a time capsule.

Other lost Toys R Us stores

We've also been to the abandoned Toys R Us in Warrington, Cheshire, had a look at what remained of the old Toys R Us store at the Central Retail Park in Ancoats, Manchester before it was demolished and visited the Toys R Us in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent shortly before it was converted into a Go Outdoors this month.

Lost shops

On our travels we've also seen a RadioShack in St Annes on the Sea; Woolworths Big W in Brunstane, Edinburgh; Tandy in Hitchin; Blockbuster in Fallowfield, Manhester; Woolworths in Longton, Stoke-on-Trent; BHS in Stockport; Blockbuster Video Express in Colne; Orange Mobile in Oswestry; Kwik Save in Barrow-in-Furness; Cooltrader in Blackpool and the remains of Blockbuster Video stores in Oldham, Cheadle Hulme, Marple, Hastings, Felixstowe, Telford, Prescot and Chester.

Happy Shopper

On our way to look at the old Toys R Us we also found a bonus lost shop - a Happy Shopper!

Saturday, September 05, 2020

Toys R Us in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent

A look at the old Toys R Us store at Festival retail park in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent.


Toys R Us in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent

I've never seen cleaner and brighter signs on an abandoned shop.

Toys R Us in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent
There are three large branded Toys R Us signs on the store, this is one of two on the side of the building. They differ from the more commonly see signs as the brand name is printed onto one board, rather that the lettering being made out of individual 3D pieces

Toys R Us ceased trading in the UK in April 2018. I worked there back in the year 2000.

Toys R Us in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent
I was once one of Geoffrey's Helpers at Toys R Us

It was a lucky find as this month the unit will be opened as a Go Outdoors store and so the Toys R Us branding will be disappearing.

Toys R Us in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent
This scene won't be the same next month and the Toys R Us branding will be lost forever

Remains of other Toys R Us stores

We've also been to the abandoned Toys R Us in Warrington, Cheshire and had a look at what remained of the old store at the Central Retail Park in Ancoats, Manchester.

Thursday, August 20, 2020

Carpet Golf by Turner Research (1970)

From the Crazy Golf Museum's board game shelf - Carpet Golf by Turner Research (1970).


Carpet Golf by Turner Research (1970)

Have you played this game before?

Do you have a favourite miniature golf board game?

Wednesday, August 05, 2020

Pitch & Plakks now available to pre-order online

The new Pitch & Plakks minigolf game is available to pre-order online.


Post contains affiliate links

Pitch & Plakks indoor miniature golf game

We found out about Pitch & Plakks minigolf course toy back in May and backed the Kickstarter to get the game made.

Pitch & Plakks will be released in November and we're looking forward to receiving this early Christmas present.

You can pre-order the game - with a discount - online now.

We love playing minigolf, outdoors and indoors - whether it's a full size course, a video game or a board game we're super competitive! It'll be interesting to see who wins our games - and how many arguments we'll have while playing it...

Pitch & Plakks is the second game from the team at Plakks after they successfully launched the Plakks football game in 2019.

Pitch & Plakks indoor miniature golf game

You can pre-order Pitch & Plakks through this link. Any purchases made through it will also support us to continue bringing you brilliant minigolf content.


Pitch & Plakks is going to be a nice addition to our collection of minigolf toys, games and board games.

Tuesday, July 14, 2020

Lost shops - Toys R Us in Ancoats, Manchester

Views of the old Toys R Us store at the Central Retail Park in Manchester.


Toys R Us at the Central Retail Park in Ancoats, Manchester. February 2019

I took a look at the old Toys R Us store at the Central Retail Park in Ancoats, Manchester just prior to it's demolition in March 2019.

Toys R Us at the Central Retail Park in Ancoats, Manchester. February 2019

Toys R Us at the Central Retail Park in Ancoats, Manchester. February 2019

All of the stores on the site have been demolished and the area is being turned into car parking.

More photos can be found in my blog post: Toys R Us at the Central Retail Park in Manchester.

Working at Toys R Us

My first job while at university in the year 2000 was as one of Geoffrey's helpers at the Luton store. I worked on the video game and electronics section.

Dead brands

We've seen a number of other old and defunct brands on our travels around the country, including Woolworths in Stoke-on-TrentTandy in HitchinRadioShack in Lytham Saint AnnesKwik Save in Barrow-in-Furness and Blockbuster Video in Fallowfield, Manchester.

Wednesday, July 08, 2020

Pitch & Plakks indoor miniature golf game

Check out the Kickstarter for the new Pitch & Plakks minigolf game - there are only 11 days to go.


Post contains affiliate links

Pitch & Plakks indoor miniature golf game

We love playing minigolf - whether it's a full size course, a video game or a board game we're super competitive!

In May we found out about Pitch & Plakks, an indoor minigolf course board game toy. It's the second game from the team at Plakks after they successfully launched the Plakks football game in 2019.

Pitch & Plakks indoor miniature golf game

If you are interested in finding out more about Pitch & Plakks and supporting a growing business with a great product please use this link. Any pledges made through it will also support us to continue bringing you brilliant minigolf content.

Pitch & Plakks will be a nice addition to our collection of minigolf toys, games and board games.

More information, FAQs, photos and videos can be found on the Pitch & Plakks Mini Golf game Kickstarter campaign page.

Thursday, June 18, 2020

Toys R Us at the Central Retail Park in Manchester

A look at the old Toys R Us store at the Central Retail Park on Great Ancoats Street in Manchester.


While looking through my photos during lockdown and prompted by my recent look at the old Woolworths store in Brunstane, Edinburgh I found these views of the old Toys R Us store at the former Central Retail Park on Great Ancoats Street in Manchester.

Toys R Us at the Central Retail Park in Manchester. February 2019
The old Toys R Us unit at Central Retail Park in Manchester

The snaps were taken in February and March last year following the demise of the brand and the closure of the retail park.

Toys R Us at the Central Retail Park in Manchester. February 2019
How the store looked in early February 2019 

Toys R Us at the Central Retail Park in Manchester. March 2019
The demolition work had really begun when we passed by a month and a half later

Toys R Us at the Central Retail Park in Manchester. March 2019
A look at the entrance to the store in March 2019

Toys R Us at the Central Retail Park in Manchester. March 2019
Geoffrey was the last to leave the Ancoats store


Working at Toys R Us


My first job during my time at university in the year 2000 was as one of Geoffrey's helpers at the Luton store. I worked on the video game and electronics section.

Shopping at Toys R Us


It was a real shame to see the brand go under. It was always a treat when me and my brothers would visit to buy games for our SEGA Master System in the 1990s. I've still got those games, some have the Toys R Us stickers on.

WWF WrestleMania Steel Cage Challenge for the SEGA Master System

WWF WrestleMania Steel Cage Challenge for the SEGA Master System
A nice piece of ephemera

Other lost brands


Our travels around the country have seen us spot the remnants of a number of old and defunct brands, including Woolworths in Stoke-on-Trent, Tandy in Hitchin, RadioShack in Lytham Saint Annes, Kwik Save in Barrow-in-Furness and Blockbuster Video in Fallowfield, Manchester.

Do you have a favourite 'lost shop' from years gone by? Maybe the remains of an old brand are still visible on a building near where you live or work? Do let me know.

Friday, June 12, 2020

Putt-In-Play - a 1930's minigolf toy

We love the look of this 1930's parlor golf putting game made by Gibbs Toys of Canton, Ohio, USA.

Putt-In-Play by Gibbs Toys of Canton, Ohio, USA

The wooden set originally consisted of the 9-holes, two wooden shafted 5 1/2" putters with metal heads, six steel golf balls, rules, blank score cards and a golf bag.

Do you have a favourite minigolf game or toy? Do let us know.

Thursday, June 11, 2020

Foam Golf Set at Lidl

Look what's in the Middle of Lidl!


You can currently get a Foam Golf Set in the middle aisle of Lidl for £14.99.

Foam Golf Set in the Middle of Lidl. Photo by Christopher Gottfried, June 2020
My brother Christopher spotted this Foam Golf Set while doing his weekly shop in Lidl

Tuesday, June 09, 2020

Putt'n Score minigolf game

A look at the Putt'n Score minigolf game by Hilco Corporation, 2001.


Putt'n Score minigolf game by Hilco Corporation, 2001

One of a number of minigolf games in the Crazy Golf Museum.

Do you have a favourite miniature golf game, board game or toy?

Monday, June 08, 2020

Putt-In-Play by Gibbs Toys, circa 1930

A look at a Parlor Golf putting game from the 1930s.


We love finding and showcasing games, interesting items, ephemera, stories and history from the world of minigolf.


The Crazy Golf Museum is home to a number of fun, old and interesting items.


Yesterday I posted about the Parlor Golf game made by Parlor Golf MFGR. Co. of La Crosse, Wisconsin, USA in the USA.

Putt-In-Play


Today's putting game for Minigolf Monday is the Putt-In-Play set by Gibbs Toys of Canton, Ohio, USA.

Putt-In-Play by Gibbs Toys
A 9-hole set up of Putt-In-Play

Also known as The Parlor Golf Game, the 9-hole wooden set has a nice range of obstacles to putt through.

Putt-In-Play by Gibbs Toys, 1930
Hole 1

Putt-In-Play by Gibbs Toys, 1930
Hole 2


Putt-In-Play by Gibbs Toys, 1930
Hole 3

Putt-In-Play by Gibbs Toys, 1930
Hole 4

Putt-In-Play by Gibbs Toys, 1930
Hole 5
 
Putt-In-Play by Gibbs Toys, 1930
Hole 6

Putt-In-Play by Gibbs Toys, 1930
Hole 7

Putt-In-Play by Gibbs Toys, 1930
Hole 8

Putt-In-Play by Gibbs Toys, 1930
Hole 9

The Putt-In-Play set originally consisted of the 9-holes, two wooden shafted 5 1/2" putters with metal heads, six steel golf balls, rules, blank score cards and a golf bag.

It's ace to look back at historic items from days gone by. The Putt-In-Play layout looks quite similar to Beton and Eternit types of miniature golf that were created in the 1950s and are still very popular in Continental Europe.

Do you have a favourite miniature golf game, or know of any others?


Visit the Crazy Golf Museum website for more minigolf toys and games.