Charmed Life

Style File: Shananigans Toy Shop

Get to know David Stelzer of Shananigan's Toy Shop in Roland Park.

Tucked away in Roland Park, Shananigans Toy Shop is a treasure chest of fantastic finds. There is a magical sense of delight that fills the shop and lingers in the smile you wear when you leave. We met up with co-owner David Stelzer to talk toys and rediscover our inner child.

1. How would you best describe Shananigans in one sentence?
DS: Weird fun for all ages.

2. How did you get the name Shananigans?
DS: If you notice, we actually spell it wrong. The two women who we bought it from and who started it were named Sharon and Nancy, Sha-Nan.

3. What is your favorite item currently in the store?
DS: That’s like picking my favorite child, but Light Stax ($19.99-$99.99). It’s basically everything good packed into one toy.

4. Who is your inspiration/icon?
DS: Willy Wonka without the tunnel of doom.

5. No toy collection is complete without…?
DS: A drained bank account.

6. What is your current favorite trend? What is your current least favorite trend?
DS: My least favorite is kids sitting in front of screens. They walk around with their noses in their devices. My favorite is the STEM or STEAM programs (science, technology, engineering, art, and math).

Our Top Three Picks:

(From left to right: Lottie Doll, $19.99, Easy-Grip Egg-Shaped Crayons, $5.99, Asoblock, $14.99)