There is a new shop but a few doors down from the Apple Store in Los Gatos. I have been watching this store front evolve, as a new retailer sedulously and with meticulous planning and diligence worked towards the advertised goal of opening on July 1st. Workers have come and gone as scheduled, and once I even caught sight of the owner, intent on putting together a display, and making sure it all occurred just right.
The Sierra Toy Soldiers marched into the marketplace on July 1st as planned.
This is an unusual player in a niche market of upscale hobbyist merchandise, elaborately detailed and capitalized. The store itself is a gem, but you can see that it above all else a labor of love. Los Gatos can afford to indulge many such boutiques, which add to its village-like charms. One of these days I know I will venture within, enraptured like a little boy again.
It's just as well they don't sell Corgi and Dinky cars -- I'd be even more broke than I am now, or smitten with an insane desire to raise the money by any means necessary so I could replace all the childhood toys I'd lost, damaged, or simply scratched too much through loving play to put upon a shelf.
JUST IN TIME FOR THE FOURTH OF JULY

WHERE'S MY MUSKET?

AHH, THERE IT IS, READY TO DEFEND ONE OF MY FAVORITE PARCHMENTS

PORTRAIT OF COUSIN GEORGE (Honest to God, I was shocked to find out...)

A DIORAMA IN THE WINDOW DISPLAY

THE INTERIOR, EVERYTHING JUST SO
