Business

Toy store opens Monday at former BookHampton space in Mattituck

Love Lane Toys store owner Alex Dank demonstrates how the 'retro' toy Sure Shot Hockey works Monday afternoon. (Credit: Barbaraellen Koch)
Love Lane Toys store owner Alex Dank demonstrates how the ‘retro’ toy Sure Shot Hockey works Monday afternoon. (Credit: Barbaraellen Koch)

Stocked with dolls, puzzles, train sets and more, a new toy store opened its doors Monday in Mattituck.

Just in time for the holiday shopping season, Love Lane Toys has taken over the former BookHampton location on the corner of Love Lane and Main Road. The bookstore closed last month. Toy store owner Alex Dank of Remensburg said he spent the Thanksgiving weekend setting up shop with his family to get it open to the public as soon as possible.

“We just got the keys two days ago,” he said. “We always wanted to be on this street. We think we’ll blend well into the community.”

Love Lane Toys offers a bit of everything, Mr. Dank said. The shelves are stocked with classic games and toys (such as Monopoly and Hot Wheels) as well as unique and educational toys. Mr. Dank describes the business as a “full service toy store” that delivers, assembles and will gift wrap purchases for free.

They will even help narrow down the perfect holiday present, he said.

“If you need a toy for a 2-year-old girl and you don’t have a 2-year-old girl, we will point you in the right direction,” Mr. Dank said. “We pride ourselves on good old fashioned customer service.”

Love Lane Toys is Mr. Dank’s second location. In 2004, Mr. Dank and his wife, Amy, opened their first toy store in Mother Goose Toys in Sayville. That store later moved to Westhampton in 2012.

The couple has two children, ages 7 and 10.

Mr. Dank said going into the toy business was a natural choice. Both of his parents were in the toy manufacturing industry and for a good part of their careers designed and manufactured toys for Sea World, Mr. Dank said.

Love Lane Toys is the third new store to come to the Love Lane business district this year. Restaurants Ammirati’s on Love Lane opened in July and Lombardi’s Market at Love Lane  opened shorty after in September.

“I am thrilled to see all the storefronts [on Love Lane] filled,” said Rosemary Batcheller, owner of Village Cheese on Love Lane. “Ever since Lombardi’s opened, I noticed an increase in foot traffic. It is good for everyone.”

Love Lane Toys will be open seven days a week, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. throughout the year.

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