Well this is a topic I can contribute to Joe. I was a kid in the 1980’s. My parents both worked so in the summer my sister and I would spend 2 weeks with one set of grandparents (in their farmhouse along the ex Pennsy Popes Creek Subdivision in MD)followed by 2 weeks with the other set in VA Beach.
My grandmother took me to pick out toys at the Virginia Beach VA Lionel Kiddie City. I remember they had formed plastic Train layout forms hanging from the ceiling they you could buy. There was a train aisle full of sets, track and cars in O and HO. N scale was behind the counter. They did sell exclusive sets with a pack in hopper. Here is mine.
The mascot was a kangaroo.
I think my grandma got me some GIJoe A Real American Hero figures and an airplane to go with it. I’m sure I played with it my whole visit. But yes I have fond memories of really combining through all the toys at Lionel Kiddie City.
Up into the late 80’s Toys R Us, K mart, JC Penny Sears and “Kay-bee Toy and Hobbies” sold trains as well. I bought many of my first HO trains from Kay Bee. I since have collected all the MPC short boxcars TRU and Kay-bee packed into their “exclusive” sets. Fun stuff with a lot more product out in front of the public and kids could see it.
