There's only one word to describe Veach's Toy Store. "Incredible".
Veach's opened in 1938 in the same store they occupy today. They have survived some very tough times including a natural gas explosion in 1968 that just about leveled downtown Richmond.
Richmond, Indiana (October 26, 2010) -- I went back to visit my hometown of Richmond, Indiana today to visit a place I often went to as a kid growing up there. Veach's Toy Store on Main Street. Veach's was a place I remember spending some great times at. They had everything. Well, everything that someone my age then thought to be important. Today when I walked though the store I kind of got that same feeling. Some of the toys were a bit different but I also found some of the same kind of toys I played with as a kid. There are many, many things that makes Veach's a very special place and that is just one of them.
During my visit I had the pleasure of talking with John Veach who is the 3rd generation in the family to operate the toy store. Started by Louis Veach in 1938, and followed by his son, William, this store has continue a tradition that is almost seemingly lost in today's toy market. That is they take great pride in the types and quality of toys that they carry. John said the toys they carry are not like the ones found in today's super stores. He said that at lot of what they carry are interactive toys that are fun to play with and toys that help kids learn.
Another very unique thing you'll see at Veach's is the vast assortment of scale model trains they carry upstairs. Their collection of trains is just too grand for words. Once you venture upstairs and start looking at this collection it is going to be hard to leave.
Some of the comments by others I have read who have visited Veach's Toy store are;
"Incredible Train Collection: One of the most impressive collections of various scale trains I have seen in the Midwest, along with the nice hard-to-find model sections."
Another person said this. "INCREDIBLE!!! What a store! I'm 38 ... no kids ... and I spent nearly 2 hours just looking and PLAYING!!! Totally beats the toy chains and box stores with comparable prices and a MUCH better variety and quality."
Incredible is a word often associated with Veach's Toy Store. And indeed it is.
Veach's has survived some of the toughest times including a horrific gas explosion that occurred in Richmond in 1968 that just about leveled the downtown area.
Some of the reasons they have enjoyed such longevity is the family that own and operate the toy store and their commitment to their customers. Another is that Veach's has been unwavering in the type and quality of toys and products they carry.
This is a wonderful place to see and visit. Take the kids to Veach's next chance you get. Or, heck, just take yourself if you like to get away from it all for just a little while. I guarantee that your first visit to Veach's Toy store won't be your last.
