Growing up we were abused in that we had no toy super store such as Toys R Us. For eleven months of the year our toy selection was found at K-Mart, Ben Franklin or Kesges. In these stores there would be one row dedicated to toys with boys on one side and girls on the other. The selection was limited, cap guns, Matchbox cars or marbles. 

The beginnings of Black Friday can be tied back to the annual Christmas Wonderland that many stores set up. In Flint, Michigan these stores were The Fair Store, Montgomery Wards and Macs Electric. A section of each store's warehouse was cleaned out and transformed into a real life honest to God Toy Land!

For the days between Thanksgiving and Christmas you could dream, droll and hope for toys you could only pray you might receive. Train Sets, Slot Cars, Battle Ships, Rocket Ships and more. Oh, the joy of visiting and seeing the offerings.

Detailed lists were submitted to parents and to Santa in the chance you might receive one of the toys on display. 

Roy Richard
October 2023