The Toy Zone at State News

Oddly, this branch of State News is not a comprehensive newsstand, but they make up for it in toys, party supplies, and tchotchkes.
Downstairs, in the maze-​like basement, you’ll find every kind of paper plate, plastic champagne glass, and birthday streamer.
Upstairs, you’ll find an excellent toy selection – not too crunchy, and not too commercial. Dolls, board games, art kits. Really well-​chosen and decently priced.
The street level is a mash-​up of a million things you never knew you needed: chic reading glasses, lottery tickets, kitschy lunch boxes, candy/​gum, greeting cards, Magic 8-​Balls, serious art supplies, clever change purses, playful watches, fancy pushpins, and bejeweled pens.
The staff are all quite nice and will help you find everything. The prices are surprisingly reasonable across the board.
The negatives: It’s 90% off-​limits to anyone in a wheelchair (and 50% off-​limits to anyone with a stroller or limited mobility). There’s a full selection of gossip rags, but only a mediocre choice of magazines/​newspapers. Still, this is a neighborhood gem.

This place has everything! You wouldn’t know it at first but the staff is very knowledgable and helpfull. My daughter gets all her art and project supplies here. They are a bit expensive but very convenient location from our home. I get all my party supplies here. The hours are very convenient 7:00am to 8:30pm works for me

At first, I thought this was just a newspaper/​magazine store like the Hudson News but this place also has office and art supplies, home décor, toys, greeting cards, and party favors. It’s a great place for teachers and students to stock up on school supplies; although probably a bit pricier than other discount stores. I personally love arts and crafts so I usually come here for materials and things to decorate for my apartment. They are pretty good at stocking up for things related to any holiday seasons like Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas. This store is a great find especially in the UES since there’s no nearby Staples or Office Depot.

I have found that it’s nearly impossible to find teachery scrapbooky craft supplies in this city. And I really needed some multi-​cultural hands and multi-​cultural construction paper STAT. This is my new go-​to teachery spot when I’m in a jam. Guess who’s going to be all prepared for her «Feelings Garden» this spring-​time?

I just found out they burned down! ²⁄₂₉ But they will rebuild, its just going to be awhile!