Magic Beans

I came in desperate to buy a last minute gift for my nephew’s birthday; he wanted a «machine to make water balloons». I didn’t think it even existed and needed it the next day. Marissa had one ordered from another branch; I left my # and she called as soon as it came in. Nephew ecstatic– kudos Marissa!

Excellent toy store that also has a large selection of high quality babygear. They also have a cute play area for kiddos.

I first visited Magic Beans flagship store in Brookline two weeks ago after having lunch with a friend who went to college with one of the owners. My friend definitely appreciates thorough knowledge and high quality, which is why I ran over.
The store and the STAFF FAR surpassed all my wildest expectations based on my friend’s recommendation. I was just starting my first ever search for the perfect stroller. I had done a bunch of research online and had an idea of some models/​brands that I might like to see and Magic Beans has floor models of most of them!
Then the most AMAZING and PATIENT and KNOWLEDGABLE salesperson I have ever met asked if she could help me with anything. Her name is Julie Salvatoriello. If you get to meet her, you must give her a hug. She gives the BEST hugs and, as a pretty legendary hugger myself, I know from hugs!
Julie proceeded to walk me through every stroller in the store with kindness and excitement and educated opinions and honest feedback based on what I was looking for in a stroller. She even got in some of them so that I could feel how they handled when fully weighted down! Lol! (Of course I promise they will only be used for our children in practical daily use and not any of the rather large adults in our family!) But it was great to see that these strollers could handle ANYTHING! When she didn’t carry certain brands she was able to tell me why — I love how smart and specific the owners/​buyers for the company are. They really only choose brands/​models that they personally stand behind over years of experience!
Next, while we were looking through some umbrella stroller options for our frequent travel adventures, another magical moment happened. I met a mom, with two kids and hubby in tow, who I thought was trying to grab Julie’s attention, but rather wanted to grab mine! She apologized for interrupting but saw that we were looking at umbrella strollers and she had travelled cross-​continent to Asia 18 times before each of her kids had even turned One year old. The stroller she swears by is the Uppababy Gluxe because it got her through everything between the full recline and the easy one hand fold and the light weight and travel strap and the large basket and the durability even with rough airline handling. SOLD! After the mom left I asked Julie what she thought and she nodded in total agreement.
To be in an environment where both the customers and the salespeople are equally as passionate is so rare and lovely! Obviously, Magic Beans knows that their clientele is made up of both smart, discerning, experienced parents and lucky parents to be. But it truly seems that they care about each of their clients from the way they treat everyone like welcome VIPS.
When I got home, I immediately started a registry as I knew I wanted to support this incredible local business. A few days later I received an email from Pati Brigham, the registry concierge, thanking me for starting a registry and offering to help out with suggestions/​advice in any way she could. I took her up on it yesterday while I was browsing the website and asked tons of questions about cribs and diaper bags and even some more stroller comparisons. Just like Julie, she took everything in stride with patience and thoroughness and honesty and fun. She solidified our first choices on strollers with the clear spec comparisons that I was looking for! For anyone who’s still reading and interested, we chose the Bob Revolution Flex and the Uppababy Gluxe :-) .
Today, I finally got to bring my husband into the store to see what all the fuss was about. We got to meet Mike who was, once again, totally awesome and helpful and amazing! He geeked out with us on teething/​nursing items and glider/​rockers for almost a half hour after the store closed! He took amazing notes and offered his personal faves and I am so excited to hear from him with his suggestions for where to continue our search.
I cannot thank Eli and Sheri enough for creating such an incredibly supportive and smart store. Magic Beans is EXACTLY what we were looking for!

This store is dangerous! I wanted to buy everything in the store. I find their toy selection better than Target or Toys R Us but they are slightly pricier, which is expected from a higher end store. My husband even liked playing with this mess proof «sand» that they had on display.
The staff is really knowledgeable and they went the extra mile teaching me and my husband how to work a stroller. Yes, I needed guidance because I feel like strollers are much more complicated than driving a car! When our fancy shmanzzy stroller arrived (we had to order the 2015 model), they were kind enough to assemble it for me since I was completely clueless. They also special ordered items for me since they were out of stock.
The only thing I don’t like, which is not really their fault, is that it is so difficult finding parking in the neighborhood. Their staff actually helped me and walked with me to my car to help me carry my purchases. This was extremely kind of them and I truly appreciated it since I was 9 months pregnant at that time. On customer service alone, they won my loyalty. I can’t wait to take my little one shopping here because their toy selection is phenomenal.

I came here with my wife to buy a gift for my niece for her birthday. We browsed but couldn’t figure out 100% what the right choice was. We went to the counter to try to find an employee to help us. After waiting for close to 15min without even being acknowledged never mind helped.
There is a complete lack of customer support. I don not shop at places that treat their customers as such.

Possible Online Fraud Alert!
Maybe the store is good in person but highly unprofessional online transactions… UNSAT!
Ordered a baby carrier for my wife. Then received an email requesting personally identifiable information such as front and back copies of our ID/​Passports and credit cards.
Don’t do this! No online retailers amazon/​target/​homedepot need that kind of information to complete orders…
Called the company and cancelled our order immediately. Also notified my bank to watch out of this…
Actual Email: From: Website Orders
Date: Mon, Jan 19, 2015 at 1:01 PM Subject: your mbeans order #158 027
To:
Hello XXXX XXXX
Thank you for your order. Unfortunately our fraud protection service has flagged your order and we will need some additional information before we can ship it out. We take these steps to help protect ourselves as well as our customers from fraud as we have experienced a growing number of fraudulent orders recently. There are a couple different ways you can send this information. You can either email photos or scan the info to
.
Below is a list of the items we need to verify the validity of the credit card:
1. A valid proof of identification. This can be a driver’s license,
passport, or some other form of identification issued by a state or
federal government.
2. Proof of credit card ownership. This should be a front and back photo
copy of the card used for purchase. The card number and the billing address
should match those provided for your order.
I do apologize for the extra steps, but in order to protect ourselves and our customers we need to be extra cautious. I hope you understand and please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any additional questions about this process and the security of the information you provide.

I rarely leave Magic Beans empty handed. A great selection of baby gifts and essentials. We bought our Babyletto crib and changing table for our nursery from Magic Beans and I regularly shop there for gifts because at this age, just about everyone I know is having a baby.

Wonderful store for toddler birthday gifts and showers. Shopped here for my nieces bday gifts. Fun crafts for children and great learning games. Help is not especially friendly and keeps you standing at checkout counter until convenient for them to take your money your trying to spend here. Def recommendation for gift buying for both girls and boys

Note: this review is NOT for the multicultural non-​selection of books. As mentioned previously, I’d never shop here for that.
But, I DID go here because I needed to think about strollers for Baby Kim Possible. Diana was amazing: helpful, encouraging (even when I could not collapse a stroller and thought I was getting punk’d), and incredibly knowledgeable. I left much more confident in the stroller that would work for me (she asked lots of useful questions about how I’d be using it, where, if I’d be taking the T, etc.), even if I won’t be able to take it apart. Then again, that’s why they’re great: if you have it sent to the store once you purchase it, they’ll put it all together. Winning!
I had the same experience for the car seat. If you’re looking for those things and you want to shop local, or at least get some insight into what works for you, this place works.

I was in need of a fabulous gift for a baby shower. I knew the ladies at magic bean
could help set this baby up in style! As a party planner I like to give memorable gifts and try mostly to steer clear of the baby gift list because I know that the recipients will eventually end up with the wish list filled and have no memory of who gave them what in the end.
That is why I look for a personal touch. A super soft high end baby blanket with baby’s initials embroidered with a matching teddy bear. A beautiful dress or pair of little shoes is a gift that many parents will keep as a keepsake of their child’s infancy if the shoes are of good quality and original. A super fancy ballet slipper for a baby girl or a name brand baby sneaker for a boy is a great gift too.
They carry all the high end items that a new mom, dad and baby would be excited to sport.
Yes it is slightly pricy but the meaning full memorable gift to a loved ones new baby is priceless!

I’ve always loved going to Magic Beans to shop for family and friends. For years I had lived nearby so I could run in there and grab a great gift easily.
I find the selection of the toys, clothes, accessories, and large scale baby equipment varied and fun. While their products are often on the pricey side, I have been able to walk out of there with a wrapped affordable gift.
The staff is friendly, helpful and well educated about the products they have on hand. Things can definitely be overwhelming since you want to get the best product for your friend’s kids and your own and things can be complicated but they can walk you through each product to compare.

⁶⁄₁₀ – 6PM…
I live a block from this store, was really looking forward to checking it out… went tonight… maybe 4 people in the store… I asked where I could find toys for a 2 yr old, boy, and was told — back of the store — on the left. That’s it. Nothing more, nothing like… let me show you, can I help you. NOTHING. So I’m left to figure out a good toy for a 2 yr. old. so i find something and because of their incredible inattention and non-​caring attitude.heck.I’ll buy it on Amazon, cheaper and have it shipped-​so not only is this more convenient. I don’t have to put up with being totally ignored. Shame on you Magic Bean… I was a brand new customer and you could have cared less. For every person you ignore. you can’t count those future customers who will not come to your store. because they’ll hear what I have to say. I was extremely disappointed! You really should have made SOME effort. The girl who blew me off. was basically cleaning up… she had the time to handle a customer; she choose not to and now I choose not to return. Sad to report this. but it’s totally TRUE!

I am a real MB fan! MB is my GO-​TO store for everything related to baby and kids. Not only does the store have many convenient locations, but the online site is pretty awesome too (not to mention their blog site.)
Before I had my first child, I bought almost all my gear through MB. I got my Baby Bjorn carrier, travel crib, Oeuf crib, dresser, Monte Glider and ottoman, Bugaboo stroller, Maclaren stroller, Graco snug ride car seat, breast feeding equipment… the list goes on and on. MB introduced me to a lot of cool items and brands as well. For example, I LOVE that they carry magnificent baby clothes, baby sleeping bags, and all sorts of fun gadgets and products that just make life really easy.
A vivid little memory I have of MB that just shows how convenient and helpful the store is: One day, I was driving along and thought to myself, I really need one of those mold kits to stamp my baby’s foot before he turns one month. I called up the store, explained what I was looking for and it turns out they had the exact product and put one on hold for me. I went right in and picked it up and now I have a keepsake of baby’s one month old feet :)
I really enjoy the staff at MB. They really know what they are doing and are always quite helpful. Also, I appreciate MB’s effort to be plugged in with Facebook, their blog, and hosting fun events. I look forward to Drool 2013, since Drool 2012 was such an awesome experience for me. I know I’ll be a loyal customer at MB even as the baby grows and for future kids. :)

This store is really great. The whole company is good, but this location is the #1 super best! The staff are so knowledgeable and helpful and they feel like your parenting allies, not people trying to take your money. They have a little area to dump your children while you shop, and to nurse (although it is in the same place as all the kids) and their changing table/​bathroom is clean and stocked. Nice! Mostly though, it is the selection in these stores that makes them stand out. Pretty much everything they sell is a great baby/​kid product. I’ve had staff here basically talk me out of baby purchases and I think that is what most inspires my affection for their employees — parents are so damn confused and throwing money at the problem always seems like a viable, albeit last resort, option. Having someone compassionate and knowledgeable standing in front of the various baby items and saying «hey, lady, you do NOT need this. You’re doing fine with that thing you already bought from us» is just so SO helpful. I pity all the parents in places far away from Magic Beans.

This store’s customer service and expertise is second to none. To be fair, we have also visited their location at the Prudential and had equally superlative service so I do not think this experience is specific to the Brookline location. Happily, I can only surmise it is the company’s practice and philosophy across the board.
We came here soon after we found out we were expecting our daughter. Theo helped us pick out our stroller (a Baby Jogger City Mini GT) and even let us test drive several other models around town. Although other reviewers have commented about Magic Beans’ prices being higher than other stores, they actually offer a lowest price guarantee.
A few days after our test drive, the store manager, Kelsey, sent us a handwritten thank you card with a gift card for $ 25, just for coming in! Clearly we purchased the stroller here (actually, my mother-​in-​law did :)) and the gift card made the purchase even more reasonable. I also had another gift certificate from completing a brief online survey they sent me. In addition, they have a great loyalty program that rewards you with discounts.
The other day we stopped in to talk about baby carriers and once again Theo was a wealth of information and helpfulness. This place is just the tops!

You should always kind of know what to expect when you walk into a place. If you keep that in mind, then Magic Beans won’t disappoint. It’s a children’s store in the heart of Brookline — if that is what you expect, then you will be happy with your experience.
Are the prices great? No, not at all. You can probably buy everything in the store for much cheaper if you shop around or order online. Due to their size, the selection and quantity are also limited. They probably only have a handful of each item in stock, and in a selection of colors/​varieties. They have a HUGE stroller/​baby gear section, but don’t go here if you’re expecting to find the cheaper $ 100 Graco strollers… if your budget only allows you to afford a Hyundai, would you go shopping at the Mercedes dealership? Probably not.
With that being said, the employees here are very nice, and incredibly helpful if you have any questions. They’re incredibly sweet to all the kids that come in here, even the ones who pull a whole shelf of books down to the ground. If boutique-​y baby shopping is your thing, then Magic Beans is your nirvana.

Most of the people who work here look like indifferent hipsters, but oh boy, do they know their toddler/​baby stuff! I walked in hoping to find something for a toddler’s bday, and was met with a billion toys and not a clue what to get.
One of the girls here chose a few items for me and told me not to get one of the toys I was holding, «because there have been a lot of returns of it, and it doesn’t work as well as they advertise». She saved me a trip to return bad merchandise, and helped me find a bunch of toys almost guaranteed to be loved by your local 2 yr old.
Fancy a trip to a slightly overpriced, but fantastic toy store? Magic Beans is your go-​to store. I feel like items are marked up a little more than usual, but you get a great staff with expertise, which is what I think you pay that extra couple of $ for.
FYI they do wrap gifts for free. FREE! In your choice of 3 pretty wrapping papers.

I really don’t like kids. They are sticky, loud, ungrateful and smelly. I tend to dislike toy stores because they are usually filled with kids. However, I can’t help but give Magic Bean 5 stars.
My first experience with them is when they hosted an event for Yahoo. It was part of Yahoo’s Ripples of Kindness event, where Yahoo surprised customers by paying for their purchases. The store was swamped almost instantly with Brooklinites who wanted free toys, and the staff remained very helpful and nice. I know plenty of other stores who wouldn’t have the same attitude.
I went back with my parents some time later to exchange a few toys. The tall guy with the quasi-​emo haircut and the glasses was probably one of the nicer store employees I’ve ever met, from any store. He overheard my mom talking about her students, and told her the store offers 10% off for any toys being used by educators. My mom ended up buying almost 150 separate items, mostly just little inexpensive prizes, and the guy was so helpful, making suggestions, organizing our purchases. My parents are pretty high maintenance customers sometimes and the dude handled it so well.
I think some of their toys and baby stuff is a bit on the expensive side, but it’s Brookline. I wouldn’t expect anything less. High end store in a high end place.

From a 4 – 5 year old perspective.
Wow, this place is the coolest. We came here after getting ice cream with sprinkles, yum, they have the coolest finger puppets, I usually like barbies but there is so much cool stuff here that I don’t even miss barbie, yeah my brother left me alone because he found some ball looking thing that kept him entertained for a while. Dad did not make his usual ‘I don’t think we can afford that’ face either. I got to buy 3 things! My bother also got a couple. Dad signed up for this frequent shopper thing which I guess means we’ll get more stuff. Cool. We got some chips after. Then we got to go on the train.

I cannot resist a toy store, especially smaller toy stores. You’re guaranteed to find a nice selection of games, organic toys, and those knight and fairy figurines, plus some Playmobile thrown in. Magic Beans did not disappoint.
The store was packed, and everyone was bursting with enthusiasm for what they were looking at. I’ve never seen a happier group of consumers! My boyfriend and I were able to look at the board games in relative peace, and were amazed at the selection. In fact, we found one that he had just been reading reviews of online the night before. Must have been fate. Anyway, he decided not to get it (despite the great price) and 20 minutes later made me go back so we could get it. Huzzah! I love board games.
The selection of toys was great. Anything you wanted, you could find and some by lesser known brands. The prices looked reasonable to me (I’m not entirely sure how much an organic cotton doll should sell for, but their price looked okay) and the board games were definitely on the cheap side for price.
The cashier was super nice. She was engaging with all of the customers, particularly the children and still kept the line moving along. She even noticed our game’s title and let us know that it was a fun game to place. Nice! If you find yourself in Brookline, or apparently all over the Boston area since there are a lot of Magic Bean stores, do yourself a favor and go in. Even if you don’t have a kid, it’s a lot of fun to browse!