This store has so many fun toys for such a small space. Aisles are arranged closely together and packed with many great options for children. This store has everything, including baby toys, dress up clothes, books, puzzles, art supplies, STEM kits, Lego sets, games, and more. If you're looking for a gift for a kid or something special for your own kid, you'll likely find something great here. read more

Ali Cat - Toy Stores Near Me - Carrboro, North Carolina

This is the first toy store in over a decade that I've loved picking out gifts at. Mainly because firstly the staff was super helpful at listening and recommending creative gifts but also because they had so many unique, creative, and engaging gifts. I'm not sure who the two awesome people were that helped me on August 12th but they made buying gifts for 4 kids really fun and not intimidating. read more

I came here to buy a board game or two, and I had a good experience. They have a decent assortment of games I have heard of and a few that I have not. At most board game shops that I have been to, however, they know a lot about the products and can give me a good recommendation. When I asked the staff here, they didn't seem to know much about them. Some advice would have been appreciated for my impromptu trip to this store. After I do some research, I could see myself coming back here to find my picks if they were in stock. read more

I love this toy store - they also do beautiful wrapping for the holidays. They have great games, puzzles, knick knacks, stuffed animals, stickers, and more - it's a menagerie. Sadly, my experience was marred by the **PREDATORY** TOWING OF BARNES TOWING at CARR MILL MALL and the $360 ticket I got after I left Ali Cat and stopped briefly at a store across the street. :( read more

Definitely racist. I entered the shop with my 8 month old son in my arms. A few minutes later, my white wife entered the shop. It appeared like we didn't know each other because we entered separtely. My wife was near the front of the store and heard the owner telling the young woman behind the register to look at the cameras when she signals her, which she had been doing. This was clearly directed at me because me and my half brown son were the only customers in the shop besides my wife. We were in the back corner looking at the books. My wife walked out and signaled me to come out and she told me what happened. I was actually ready to buy something but left and will NEVER return. We noticed that the white family that entered when we were on our way out did not garner the same attention as me. Complete blatant racism. POS thinks I was going to steal, but I could buy everything there if I wanted and buy her store out. DON'T bother going here! Plus overpriced like others mentioned read more

This toy store has probably been here close to thirty years now. Just think of how many kids have grown up going there and now are taking their own kids! For starters, it's not your typical toy store. It's more thoughtful. Still fun, but a little on the quirky and educational side at times. Kids love it and so do adults. If you've never been I highly suggest a visit. read more

Agree w/ others..Rude staff/ OVERPRICED - one of the lady owners is really crotchety and rude- like you owe her to be in her retail space- negative and dark energy. Signing up for a retail lease, distributing toys on a small scale, and adding crumbly little Lego table out front is no excuse to dismiss baseline manners. Please... these people are dying for people to come in as it's empty most of the time... so it was really off putting- and counter intuitive as an entrepreneur. My friend and I were wondering if she just was so angry the business is dead most of the time. I'm all for supporting a local overpriced toy store in an really out of the way location- but not when trying to buy something for a bday party you are practically pushed out if the store. Good luck- shuttering in the near future guaranteed....best for all! read more

Ali Cat is a cute children's store with toys and book for kids of all ages. We went to Ali Cat to buy a backpack for my toddler and found one that fit him perfectly. He was so excited by his new shark back pack that he wore it out of the store. We also got a matching water bottle (it's the little things these days!). I recently discovered Peaceable Kingdom board games and discovered Chugga Choo which was developed for 2+. I'm really impressed that they have board games for toddlers! Their book selection is amazing as well. This store reminds me of The Shop Around the Corner from "You've Got Mail"; a sweet local business for children that we want to support. read more

This store is awesome, I'm a big kid at heart! It's especially great for the little kids too. They've got nice soft stuffed animal, toy VW cars & even wooden cars made out of recycled wood, handmade in California. Oh, and let's not forget the Rubiks cube, one of my favorites as a kid, I loved playing with that thing as a kid. This store as been in the Carr Mill Mall for about 11 years. It's an adorable play land full of all sorts of fun stuff, you can even purchase the materials to make your own crystals, how fun is that! read more

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Sweet, a toy store! As toy stores go, this one is very quality. Nothing particularly amazing, just a great selection at awesome prices. Really, you'll find everything from old style hand carved wooden pull toys to the most modern LEGO sets (man, I feel like an ass for capitalizing LEGO... twice). There are tons of books, just in case your kid doesn't have enough copies of Harry Potter and the Ridiculous Obsession. There's even a section with polished ornamental stones for those of you who have sad lives and get excited about polished ornamental stones. So, yeah. Like toys? Shop at Ali Cat. That is all. read more

Ali Cat - Toy Stores Near Me - Carrboro, North Carolina

What a great place to stop by when you're either looking for candy, an animal shaped backpack, puppets, games, or some kind of gift for a child! Fun painting in the front of the entrance make this place very inviting! read more

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The only local toy store in the Carrboro/Chapel Hill area. They set up an online store, you can order over the phone, they offer pick-up and bring it to your car. In person is possible, too with all regulations, masks, hand sanitizer before you enter and one way aisles, etc. They do a good job and I'm glad they are still around. read more

I hope this store stays here forever. Best selection of kids toys that make gift-giving easy because you can always find something cool, educational, and different from the big box stores or Amazon. Centrally-located, and prices are very reasonable, too. I just wish that would carry more gift wrap or gift bags. read more

This is a great store in which to buy toys, but do not take your kids there. We have visited this store many times and bought many gifts for many birthday parties. Without kids in hand they ignore you, with kids in hand they treat you horribly, as if you have offended them by daring to bring a child into their store. Our LAST trip there was this week, when the person working literally slammed the door in my 6 year olds face because it was one minute to closing. Asked if he realized what he had done, there was no apology just a statement that "well, we're closed". My wife explained that my daughter had been saving for a special gift for six weeks and could she just buy that one thing. The answer was no and the door was closed on both of them. Why run a children's toy store if you dislike children? read more

I always seem to wait until the last minute to buy birthday gifts so I am glad that this place is down the street from me. I love their selection of toys, arts and crafts, and science projects making finding something for any kid a snap. They carry all the brands you are used to seeing in more "serious" educational type play but also just because fun things. They have tons of Playmobil, Breyer Horses, and Calico Corner which I seriously want for myself. It's located in the Carr Mill mall so no way do you need to drag yourself to Durham to get something at Target-this place will set you up right and you can support local businesses at the same time. They have a selection of gift bags so you can get all your gift needs met here. Would definitely recommend for all ages. read more

My all time favorite store in carrboro! The staff is so friendly and helpful and the owner, Irene, has a knack for stocking the store with all the greatest, new and educational toys! Do our community a favor and buy local from this terrific store! read more

Love the wide range of unique toys and they're great at helping me pick out age appropriate gifts. The free wrapping is a big help too! Irene, the owner, is awesome - always friendly and helpful. Makes me feel good about buying local! read more

I've never made a special trip to Carr Mill Mall just to go to Ali Cat, but it's a fun place to browse while visiting Weaver St. or waiting for a table at Elmo's. As an independent toy store, the price point is maybe a little higher than a corporate chain, but still very reasonable. It seems to me that their selection places emphasis on educational toys and games. There are tons of children's books, with classics like The Hungry Caterpillar and Good Night Moon mixed in with newer fare. They also carry a bunch of creative and well-crafted hand puppets, as well as the elusive Rubik's Cube. When my boyfriend requested one for Christmas a few years ago, this is the first and only place I had to look. read more

I've seen a number of these classic local toy stores lately, but I have to give the edge so far to Ali Cat for one big reason - the book section. They have several shelves lining the back wall, containing everything from "Pat the Bunny" right on up to Roald Dahl to Harry Potter. As for the toys, they have lots of the good stuff you expect - arts and crafts toys, science toys (is it too late for me to get the Smithsonian fossil kit?), games, puzzles and stuffed animals. They even have a little section devoted to horse-themed books and toys. read more

Never again. Ran into the store to grab toys for a charity event. Five minutes til close, but I ran through and spent $50 and was leaving the parking lot by 6:04 (four minutes after closing. THat didn't stop the horrid clerk from snapping at my children, snatching toys out of their hands and shoving us out the door as we were already leaving. The store has always been overpriced and sketchy on service... but if you hate children and Christmas, find another line of work! read more