Hudson’s Bay is bringing legendary toy emporium FAO Schwarz to Canada for the holidays

This holiday season, the Bay has opened 89 FAO Schwarz pop-up spaces across the country.DAVID PIKE/HBC

For the young as well as the young at heart, there’s no greater joy than playing with a new toy. And for those who are serious about their playthings, nothing tops the thrill of a visit to FAO Schwarz. The brand’s former Fifth Avenue flagship in New York was known around the world for its over-the-top toys, games and stuffed animals, made famous in films including Home Alone 2: Lost in New York and Big, in which star Tom Hanks performs on the store’s oversized piano.

This holiday season, a scaled-down version of that black-and-white instrument is available in Canada at Hudson’s Bay. The 348-year-old department store has opened FAO Schwarz pop-up spaces in each of its 89 locations across the country, ranging in size from 300 to 1,200 square feet. Each pop-up will feature a selection of FAO Schwarz’s signature items, including oversized plush animals and train sets.

Although toys are not new to Hudson’s Bay, the unique offerings of FAO Schwarz are a major novelty. “The brand resonates, is authentic and has history, which is very much in keeping with Hudson’s Bay. At the same time, it brings something into the Canadian market that our customers haven’t seen before,” says Alison Coville, president of Hudson’s Bay. “There are other places to get toys, there are other ways to get toys, but if you want that nostalgic fun, then you come to Hudson’s Bay. [FAO Schwarz is] one of those brands that is really for all ages.”

For more information, visit thebay.com.

Style news

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