About

Buffalo's Original Toy Store

Clayton’s Toys is Western New York’s one-stop toy shopping experience! We are an independently-owned toy store opened in Buffalo, New York in 1916. That’s over 100 years! Not to mention, we are the oldest continuously run toy store in America!

At Clayton’s Toys you will find gifts, toys, games, novelties, and nostalgia for children of all ages! We have a vast selection of baby items, children’s books, dolls, stuffed animals and puppets, things to keep busy outside, science kits, art supplies, crafts, puzzles, building toys, trucks, and more!

The incredible staff at Clayton’s Toys is here to help you, whether you are looking for that one perfect gift for someone special, or a little something special just for you! We provide a full range of gift giving services, including complimentary gift wrapping, shipping, and even gift selection and party favor services!

There is something for everyone at Clayton’s Toys, so come on in and experience it for yourself!

A Letter from our Owners

To the many friends of Clayton’s,

First, we would like to say thank you all, for your interest in Clayton’s Toys.  We say everyday (seriously, ask our staff) that we have the best customers in the world, and we mean it.

If you are new to Clayton’s, or just hearing about us for the first time, welcome!
And thank you, as well, for you interest in our shop.  Clayton’s Toys is an independently-owned toy store that has been open in Western New York for over 100 years.  In that time, we have grown and changed, but ultimately what keeps us going has stayed true.

We sell toys.

It seems like a simple mission, a simple task, but especially in our changing world, with computers and electronics driving people apart and bringing them together in new ways every day, toys are important.  The children of today are having a very different experience as they grow than children of the past have had, but we at Clayton’s believe that for all children, there is a constant and important element to help them as they grow and develop in any time, any place.

That element is Play.

Play.  Creative, guided, planned and unplanned Play, is such an important thing for children, of all ages, but especially those learning to interact with and establish and orient themselves in the world for the first time.  At Clayton’s, it is central to our mission, and close to our hearts, to provide children with novel and engaging platforms that facilitate Play.  We believe that interacting with a toy, working on a craft, flying a kite, reading a book, hugging a favorite bear, and playing games, are all important elements of Play, and are essential to the growth and development of happy and healthy children, and is maybe just as important to embrace as we go on in life.  Playing together builds connections, and helps people to nurture and enjoy their personal relationships.

Toys and Play are our passions, and that passion is evident in the quality of our service.

In the same way that interacting with a toy hands-on is a different experience than watching a video or playing a virtual game, coming into a brick and mortar store and interacting with a real live person is a very different experience than shopping online.  We believe that toys need to be touched and held and felt to really be experienced, and our entire staff seeks to facilitate that experience for every customer.  No matter who you are, what you are looking for, or even if you have no idea what you are looking for, the people at Clayton’s are here to help you.  From gift selection, to complimentary gift wrapping, to packing and shipping services, here at Clayton’s we strive to make your gift-giving experience easy, and most importantly, FUN!

We hope to see you ALL at Clayton’s Toys soon!

Sincerely,

Kellie and Tera, co-owners of Clayton’s Toys

 

History

A Buffalo Favorite Since 1916 

 

Clayton’s Toys, originally owned by Katherine Driscoll, was established as a doll hospital on Elmwood Avenue in 1916. As the business thrived, Ms. Driscoll gradually added toys and hired Eleanor Clayton to help with doll repair and the procurement and sale of toys. Miss Clayton eventually owned the store on her own but became ill in 1970.

Soon after, the store was purchased by longtime owners, Lillian and Towny Wilson. The store became a beloved fixture in the city, so much so, the neighborhood rallied behind the store after a fire, prompting the Wilsons to reopen in another location on Elmwood.

In 1991, after losing their lease and unable to find a suitable storefront on Elmwood, they relocated to the current location at 5225 Main Street in Williamsville. Bruce and Jane Roberts bought the toy store in 1994 and carried on the Clayton’s tradition for over 20 years.

In 2015 current owners, Kellie Klos and Tera McElligott, who had worked at Clayton’s for 24 and 16 years respectively, purchased the store. They were inspired by the history and longevity of Clayton’s, and were excited to keep this unique, local treasure going.

They are dedicated to keeping up the high standards of this specialty store, and to continuing to serve the many generations of loyal customers.

Clayton’s has been in business for 105 years, and today is the oldest continuously run toy store in America.