Iconic LA Toy Store Faces Uncertain Future as Tariffs Threaten Toy Industry
Kip’s Toyland, Los Angeles’ oldest toy store, is fighting for survival as looming U.S. tariffs on Chinese imports threaten to push prices beyond what small retailers – and their customers – can bear.
The beloved store, nestled in the Farmers Market on Fairfax Avenue, has been a fixture of childhood joy for nearly 80 years. But owner Don Kipper says the business is bracing for impact after receiving warnings from suppliers about sharp price hikes due to a new 145% tariff on most Chinese-made goods. Given that nearly 80% of toys sold in the U.S. are manufactured in China, the implications are dire.
“We’re getting letters from our vendors basically saying, ‘Brace yourself,’” Kipper said. Suppliers are urging retailers to place bulk orders ahead of the tariff implementation – an option Kipper says simply isn’t feasible for a small, independently run shop with limited storage.
The tariffs are part of former President Donald Trump’s ongoing trade dispute with China, which has already disrupted many American industries. Last year alone, the U.S. imported over $13 billion worth of toys from China, highlighting the deep reliance on China’s well-established toy manufacturing infrastructure.
For Kipper, the issue isn’t just economic – it’s also personal. His father, Irvin “Kip” Kipper, a World War II veteran and former prisoner of war, opened the shop in 1945 with a dream of creating something joyful after enduring the horrors of war. Over the decades, Kip’s Toyland has remained a bastion of nostalgia, offering unplugged, timeless playthings like puzzles, trucks, and board games—many of which are now sourced from China.
While classic toys like the Slinky are still made in the U.S., most others have long shifted overseas. The decline of domestic toy giants like Marx and Ideal has left few alternatives, making stores like Kip’s especially vulnerable to global trade tensions.
The potential price jump is already raising concern among local parents. Aeri Schwartz, a mother and frequent visitor, said a toy she usually buys for $20 might soon cost $30. “That’s a big difference. This place is really special – it would be sad to lose it,” she said.
Other parents, like Chelsea Kwoka, say they’ll likely turn to second-hand options or experiences like zoo memberships if toy prices soar. “In today’s economy, buying less isn’t the hardest choice to make,” she noted.
For now, Kipper is focused on “buying smart” – carefully selecting affordable toys that still reflect the store’s legacy. But he knows that if prices rise too high, the options may dwindle.
“It’s like being held hostage,” he said. “If we have to pay more, we have to – but I hope it doesn’t come to that.”
As the holiday season approaches, Kip’s Toyland faces perhaps its greatest challenge yet – not from changing tastes or online giants, but from the unpredictable tides of global politics.
