RETRO FIND: Toy store for "ungrownups" brought playtime back in 1981
Step back to 1981 and rediscover the joy of being a kid with a toy store for “Ungrownups.”
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Updated: 12:06 PM CDT Mar 28, 2025
First glance, it looks like any specialty toy store, but this one is not for kids. It is geared especially for adults. Its owner thought of calling it an adult toy store, but that quickly changed. The first thing that I was worried about was Dwayne Lowe and all the troopers would be down here Mike trying to close it up thinking that it was one of the *** shops. *** lot of people got the wrong impression when we said adult toy store. In its 1st 10 days of operation, business has been brisk for good reason. The items, which range from 69 cents to this $200 operating steam car, are unique. The not so grand marching band. Growling bear. The chow chow dog. Disco crab, 2 varieties. Flip flop airplane. The F-14 Starfighter, which simulates takeoff and landing. The skater dolls. Balancing clouds. I think there is *** little kid inside of every adult that's just waiting for the right opportunity to come out and play and especially in these times of stress and negative things going on all over the world. At first, Willie Sprayground thought better of stocking guns because of their connotation, but along with the uniqueness of items like this, he soon changed his mind. From Sacramento, Mike Boyd for Channel 3 reports.
RETRO FIND: Toy store for "ungrownups" brought playtime back in 1981
Step back to 1981 and rediscover the joy of being a kid with a toy store for “Ungrownups.”
![vlog logo]()
Updated: 12:06 PM CDT Mar 28, 2025
In 1981, a Sacramento shop caused a few double takes. It was a toy store marketed to “Ungrownups.”Willie’s Playground was unique in offering whimsical and nostalgic toys meant to bring out your inner child.From a $200 operating steam car to a Disco Crab (available in two varieties), the toys ranged from quirky to delightfully elaborate. There were growling bears, balancing clowns and even an F-14 Starfighter that simulated takeoff and landing.The owner said, “I think there’s a little kid inside every adult, just waiting for the right opportunity to come out and play.”Did you own any of these toys? Watch the video to see them all!If you liked this story, here are a few more blasts from the past:
In 1981, a Sacramento shop caused a few double takes. It was a toy store marketed to “Ungrownups.”
Willie’s Playground was unique in offering whimsical and nostalgic toys meant to bring out your inner child.
From a $200 operating steam car to a Disco Crab (available in two varieties), the toys ranged from quirky to delightfully elaborate. There were growling bears, balancing clowns and even an F-14 Starfighter that simulated takeoff and landing.
The owner said, “I think there’s a little kid inside every adult, just waiting for the right opportunity to come out and play.”
Did you own any of these toys? Watch the video to see them all!
If you liked this story, here are a few more blasts from the past:
