With the demise of the big-chain toy stores, finding a "regular" toy store can be a challenge. You'll find boutique toy stores, vintage toy stores, toy & hobby stores, etc But luckily Elephant's Trunk fills that need for just a straight up regular toy store. They have a good range of stuff, from baby toys on up to stuff for older kids. Coloring books, blocks, toy cars, fidget-spinners, little guitars, and everything in between. It's a big store and nicely designed, so it's fun to walk around and check things out. Of course it's very kid friendly. Given the 5th St. Market location, you probably won't find any bargains. That being said, the prices seem pretty reasonable. It's definitely worth checking out! read more

It is so hard to find a truly legit toy store anymore, especially one where the toys and games inspire creativity and learning and don't all require WiFi or recharging at the end of the day. This toy store is truly one of my favorite in Oregon. It has a good selection of classic children's toys like Playmobil, Hot Wheels, and Brio. They also have a great selection of children's books and puppets to help foster a child's creative learning. As a side note they also have a few of these classic coin-op rocking animals including an elephant and an Oregon Duck-the mascot for the local university. The staff was great and very knowledgeable about activities appropriate for certain ages and developmental levels. read more

Elephant's Trunk - Coin-op rocking duck - Toy Stores Near Me - Eugene, Oregon

A thoughtfully curated toy store with a welcoming staff. You don't find places like this anymore, they just don't exist! My son is only a few months old and yet we LOVED exploring and showing him things. We especially enjoyed the massive selection of Jellycat stuffed animals. They also had an amazing selection of books, truly a gem in Eugene. read more

I've been there multiple times...bought great gifts for grandkids and others. Liza is wonderful! I don't know what that other reviewer was talking about since she is so friendly and treats her customers like royalty. This is the best place to find unusual toys and things you won't find anywhere else. read more

Ended up there twice in one day!! The lady working there was super sweet and we talked about Jellycat stuffed animals for 20 minutes the first time I was there. The second time I went there it was to get another stuffed animal and she helped me pick out the perfect one. This is by far a 5 out of 5 star place. read more

Elephant's Trunk - Jellycat collection - Toy Stores Near Me - Eugene, Oregon

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Sorta like a kid in a candy store, except more like a kid in a toy store. Which exactly what I was, really. A really big kid in a really cool toy store. What do you want? Models? Stuffed animals? Science projects? Yep, yep, yep. Stickers? Coloring books? Board games? Again, yep yep yep. Add the fact that it's located in the super cute 5th St. Public Market and you've got a recipe for a happy kid, either grown or child. I managed to come away without any toy or trick, but that had more to do with my limited luggage and less to do with the myriad of amazing things I saw here. Spend some time. Bring your kids, with caution, as they'll fall in love with all the "gotta' have its!" they find. read more

Elephant's Trunk - So many toys! - Toy Stores Near Me - Eugene, Oregon

Seriously snooty attitude in there. Also, weirdly for the sheer amount of inventory they have, they haven't had what I was looking for every time I've gone in there. They appear to resent helping you find things. They appear to resent helping you at all. I get that they are in the oh-so- special 5th St. Market Building (which automatically adds $$$ to whatever you might buy there), but they absolutely need to get over themselves. Bad juju in there. Eugene Toy and Hobby or Addictive Behaviors from now on. read more

I haven't figured out how this company is still in business. It really astounds me, given I never see customers in the store. I went in here recently with my husband. I had hoped the store at Valley River would be better, but it wasn't. I suppose it shouldn't have surprised me. The selection seems limited. They have Legos, but only geared toward one age group, and a very limited selection. They have stuffed animals, although very hard to get to in the display. I'd buy both constantly, should both the selection and customer service improve. I have an 8 year old nephew and several younger great-nephews. Perfect place for the littles, until you get there. The return policy is horrible. There isn't one. All sales are final. It's not exactly a cheap store either. So you shell out a fair chunk of change buying locally instead of using Wal-Mart or Amazon, only to find your shiny new toy/game/stuffed animal is broken, torn, or missing pieces. Well, to be blunt, it sucks to be you. Simple as that. No refunds, exchanges, or store credit given. All sales are final. It's like they won't even stand behind their products. I can't respect that kind of business. Customer service is lacking. Mostly lacking even a start. It's just not there. There's nothing great about it, or even anything to complain about. It's just literally non-existent. You have to talk to customers to either please them or piss them off. I don't know how either of their stores aren't burning through money in rent alone, being in the 5th Street Market, and Valley River Mall. The profit to expense ratio doesn't quite add up. I want to like this store, and I tried both locations. But I simply can't. I'd love to buy locally. But Amazon and Wal-Mart are significantly cheaper, and have a legit return policy. Plus customer service. I personally feel like they give local business a bad name. Review 34 of 2017. read more

I've shopped at Elephant's Trunk for two generations of kids, and I love it -- it's the last of the old-time toy stores around, and the best in the area. This is the place to go for quality toys that aren't trying to sell you the latest Disney movie or Saturday morning cartoon. Yes, they do carry some "theme" stuff ("Hello Kitty" comes to mind), but mostly they have good, solid, interesting and even --gasp-- educational toys. There's a great collection of games and puzzles; a fair array of science toys; building sets; cars; dolls; and stuffies of all sizes for all ages. One corner is devoted to a huge array of animal models -- from farm animals to dinosaurs. They also carry the largest variety of "Melissa and Doug" traditional wooden toys that I've seen in one place. I see a number of reviews here complaining about the service, and frankly I wonder if these people went in to the same store, or what exactly they were expecting. I've never experienced anything other than friendly, helpful service at both store sites (Valley River Center mall, and 5th Street Market). My nieces love walking through the store and just looking, even when we're not buying something (though of course they always find something they want!). Sure, you can sometimes get better prices on some items -- if you can find them elsewhere. But you won't have and easy time finding much of this stuff elsewhere, and if you buy on line you won't have the chance for you and your child to examine the item before purchase. For me, watching a child's face light up in delight as the choose something with their own hands that they REALLY want, more than justifies the slight extra cost of buying locally. (And certainly beats getting something broken from Amazon that you have to mail back and forth several times.) I hope Elephant's Trunk is around for a long time to come. As long as there are children in my life, I will be shopping here regularly. Highly recommended. read more

Really odd experience. I just purchased a toy on sale, along with a number of other items. I often stop in to purchase toys for my kiddos or gifts. When we got home, the toy was completely broken. I called back within the hour of purchase and they wouldn't refund or exchange item, since it was on sale. I can understand this policy of a toy isn't broken, but it's ridiculous to reserve the right to sell broken merchandise. The employees made it clear the owner won't allow them to make any exception, which I find really strange and unethical. That's not a sale, it's a dirty trick. Buyer beware. read more

I've never had anything but great experiences here! So many great toys in an appealing layout. High end and silly options. Jellycat and corolle dolls. Such a great brick and mortar toy store! Eugene is lucky to have it. read more

Wow I guess I should have read the reviews but what could go wrong in a toy store. Nice store with lots of selection. Too bad the staff don't meet up to the toy quality. It was a rainy Saturday and I was in the market for a toy for a grandchild. No one asked if I needed help and that I enjoyed. Good job letting people wander and think. When I picked out my gift I went to the cash. End of a good experience. I was buying a toy that was in a cardboard box. Did I mention that it is winter in Oregon and it's raining all day. When I was asked if I wanted a bag I could hardly refuse. It was raining, it was a cardboard box, I hadn't brought a bag I was in a toy store I wasn't shopping for food. I don't carry bags wherever I go. I thought sure I need a bag at which time I was charged the 5 cents. I said really... And was given a tongue lashing by the pretty young cash girl. She made me really defensive and I found myself wondering if I had to apologize to her for being so stupid and not saving the environment. Really quite awful experience. I was called a number of names etc. I was just buying a toy and I got more than I wanted. Way more than I wanted. I called the owner to complain. She listened. Great, nice listening. Good skill. Customer service was the complaint. Reading the other reviewers gives me the idea that this was not a one time event. Never going back. I'll be"one of those" and look at your toys and then order on line. That human interaction just doesn't do anything for me in this store. read more

5th Street for the win!! There are two locations of this store, one in the mall and one in 5th Street Market. I had stopped using this store because the mall location is just awful in every way, mean mean staff both to adults and children and no room for me to shop in my wheelchair. I decided to try the 5th street location for a specific item and have been just delighted! Not only is the store ADA accessible in every way, the staff are kind and helpful. Lisa pulled every giant stuffed animal for us at 6pm on a Sunday while being personable, kind and helpful the entire time. There is an elevator that opens up into the store located on High St making the store accessible to me even without my wheelchair. Also great book selection and wonderfully organized and neat retail space. Can't recommend the 5th Street location enough! read more

Amazing selection of any toy/game/ puzzle you can think of, but CRAZY expensive. Was tempted to buy so many things until I saw the price. read more

Elephant's Trunk - So many awesome games - Toy Stores Near Me - Eugene, Oregon

The woman who owns this store is a GRINCH! We were shopping, scoping out our Santa wishlists and making beautiful family memories at the 5th st Market. She breezed thru 2 times to inform us the store was closing soon. The first time was at around 640, the second around 650 (store closes at 7.) We informed her we understood and we were wrapping it up. I asked if she was in a hurry and immediately she got nasty to me in front of the kids. We decided to put back our purchases and leave. She followed us to lock the doors and I asked her if she was the owner, which she said she was. I let her know we would be letting people know how we were treated and she scoffed at us laughed in our faces telling us she didn't care. The poor kids and I were stunned and our fun evening left with a bad vibe. Thanks for the Christmas memories, the kids nor I will ever forget the treatment we received. read more

The physical stores are lovely and full of delightful toys, with a great selection of educational and wood/recycled options that are hard to come by anywhere else. Prices are pretty much at suggested retail, but seem high when you can find the same stuff on Amazon at a fraction of the cost. However, if you like to support local, that's something you just swallow. HOWEVER, as others have noted, the customer service can vary drastically from visit to visit. Sometimes employees are friendly and helpful, other times they do the bare minimum necessary to serve you, and sometimes they act like you're asking them to gift wrap a badger just to check you out. In addition, I would highly suggest NOT purchasing gift certificates, especially for baby showers. They expire, and they WILL NOT honor them past that date. I didn't even know that was legal in Oregon anymore. I'm sure I'm not the only first time parent who never found the time to pack my baby up and go buy toys before the certificate expired, and I'm sure the giver would be appalled that they spent that much money just for the store to essentially steal it. read more

Unlike other reviewers I've never had an issue with the staff here. They've always been friendly and helpful to me. The prices are too high though. I take my son to look at the hot wheels collection only. read more

The store is great. The service from one particular person at the counter was very disappointing. If she told me she owned the store I would never go back. Maybe she was having a bad day. Or, maybe she doesn't like Asians like the other person who put a review on here pointed out. I don't know. But, the way she spoke to me was inexcusable. I will be calling the manager tomorrow. read more

I had a terrible experience at the Elephant's Trunk! I asked a simple question about two very similar but different products that one of their more seasoned employees, Robyn, could not answer. When faced with a question from a Latino-Asian that she could not answer she immediately insulted me by saying that what she did not know was "common sense" then quickly instructed me to leave the store or she would call "someone." If you are of Asian or Latino (maybe even African-American) ethnicity please stay away. I was there with my family which consisted of three kids under the age of four and my wife who is expecting but for some reason asking a question that they can't answer will result in getting security called on you just because you don't look the same. What a racist joke. We will never go back there again. Horrible, just horrible. read more

I think we are lucky to have a toy store in Eugene of this caliber and quality. Many opened ended play option. Instead of the plastic push a button flash and lights toys that kids get tired of quick. It is more expensive than target , but they provide imaginative play that last. read more

Fabulous toys can't overcome worst of the worst customer service! I was shopping with my two young adult daughters. We were carrying iced drinks, which had lids, and the rudest of the two employees working told us to leave because of their no-drink policy. (Every other store we entered in the area was just fine with the drinks!) She was not apologetic at all. Just flat-out rude. When one of my daughters attempted to purchase an item using her debit card, the rudest employee told her there was a $5 minimum for debit cards. My daughter did not have cash, so the employee told her, "Too bad. You can't buy it." (Her tone can be best described as snarky with a major chip on her shoulder.) Neither employee greeted us when we entered the store, smiled (the only expression we saw was scowling), or asked us if we needed any help. They just drifted around casting us glares. I went back into the store (sans drink) and asked the younger, sloppily-dressed employee for the name of the excessively rude older employee. "Robin," she replied, before glaring at me and saying, "Wait, why do you want to know?" I've been a customer of this establishment, but I'll never again purchase anything from them! Crazy how a toy store can employ these types! read more

Be very careful of what you purchase since you won't be able to return it and get your money back. This is a policy that is not communicated when you purchase but only after you read it on the bottom of your receipt. Like many others on Yelp I wont be going back. read more

Our family loves Elephant's Trunk. Our little one is mesmorize by the huge selectionbof toys, games, and books. The 5th street staff are exceptionally friendly and helpful. They are kind and engaging with the children (especially at 5th Street Market... That one is definitely the favorite) ... Valley River is smaller and the staff tend to be more focused on tasks about the store. If you want a great toy store experience, 5th Street Market Elephants Trunk I highly recommend. read more

High priced non-bendable policy about only returning items for store credit. Does a great disservice to the notion of "buying local".