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Nostalgia reigns at these toy, antique shops
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THERE is a growing segment of the adult population who love toys just as much as children. Many grown-ups spend a lot of time looking for old toys and antiques. They are willing to spend money acquiring them because they remind them of their happy childhood.
These toy and antique collectors aren’t interested in the latest stuff in department stores. The toys and items from their childhood can usually only be found in specialty stores.
Shanghai has several stores that collect, display and sell old toys and antiques. Shanghai Daily visits a few.
Xiaofangting Antique Shop
Xiaofangting on Changshou Road is a popular coffee house among young people who love culture and the arts, but not many of them have noticed the antique shop across the road. Stepping inside provokes a similar feeling as when Alice accidentally ended up in Wonderland.
Numerous old toys and antiques practically fill the room. The shop is looked after by an old man, who usually sits there quietly. But if you ask he will tell you the history of every item in the shop. He has amassed this collection from antique shops, grocery shops and auction houses around the world.
The collection includes ceramics dolls with beautiful clothing and different expressions, a life-size statue of Elvis Presley, an old-style stroller, and even a vintage car.
Most visitors are drawn to a fox wearing a man’s clothes, which the elderly man says he bought from another collector.
Not everything on display is for sale. For example, don’t try to purchase that fox or anything related to rabbits.
Address: Bldg K, 652 Changshou Rd
Shanghai Metal Toy Museum
Most Shanghai residents are unaware this museum exists. The 700-square-meter exhibition hall displays more than 3,000 toys from the 1960 to 1980s. People who grew up during those years will likely have many fond memories flood back to them.
The museum divides metal toys into four categories: static toys, electronic toys, inertial toys and wind-up toys. The toys cover everything from cars and animals to dolls.
Most of the toys were donated by Shanghai Toy Factory, which no longer produces new toys, although some were donated by individuals. Those unfamiliar with old toys may be surprised by the level of detail.
The museum also displays foreign toys from the United States, Europe and Japan. Some of them like Mickey Mouse have appeared in famous cartoons.
Address: 1315 Liangcheng Rd
Emerald Design
It focuses on designing, customizing and altering vintage clothing. The shop displays about 100 vintage clothes with styles from the 1920s through the 1980s. Many of them are rare or one-of-a-kind items.
Address: 305 Yongjia Rd
Shanghai Code Vintage Glasses
This small museum displays vintage glasses from China, France and Germany. The owner collects spectacles and travels around the world to purchase items from the 1940 to 1990s. It’s unlikely you will find anything on display anywhere else in the city.
Address: No. 2, 274 Taikang Rd
The Cottage Shop
It’s a typical antique shop where you can find something that you have been looking for, or something weird that you would never think of buying. The shop sells old albums from Europe, old-time postcards, secondhand bags and clothing, as well as vintage accessories. There’s even a US Army medical kit on one shelf. It makes you wonder how that ended up in Shanghai.
Address: 170 Wulumuqi Rd M.
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