The City of Marietta's own neighborhood toy shop, The Symphony of Toys

If you haven’t had the opportunity to enjoy an old world toy shop, then long-time toy purveyor, Randall Smith, has a treat for you to experience right in the heart of Marietta.

Randall and his wife, Michele, started the Symphony of Toys in 2008 and have been watching children’s eyes light up ever since. They both view their small toy shop as a labor of love for the community. Located on Cherokee Street in the bricked office building that also houses Marietta lunch staple, The Lunch Basket, Randall and Michele keep their shelves loaded down with a plethora of toys for all ages of children, intentionally focusing on tactile toys that are free of electronics and screens.

“I think we sometimes forget that play is essential.” Randall spoke this truth with calm determination, seemingly coming from a place of decades of having firsthand knowledge of how the child’s brain grows and develops.

?Puzzles, board games, Melissa and Doug toys, Legos, Playmobile, Lite-Brite, Fisher-Price, Star Wars, and plenty of other classic and modern toys adorn the shop from floor to ceiling. Video games, virtual reality, and anything with a digital screen were noticeably absent at Symphony of Toys and Randall makes sure of that.?The real treat for me in our interview wasn’t the astonishing amount of inventory in such a cozy setting, although that was indeed a sight to behold, it was the warm and joyful disposition of the head toy slinger himself, Randall Smith.

The Smiths both held long careers in education where they honed in on their interest and skill set in helping children grow and develop. Michele was a teacher of almost every grade through elementary and middle school while Randall helped develop programs aimed at coordinating mobile learning labs and other initiatives focused on children experiencing homelessness. In addition to their time in education, they both served families abroad in ministry with the United Methodist Church for several years in England. After returning to the states, they knew it was time for their 3rd act, and instead of kicking their feet up and watching tv, continuing to serve their community was at the forefront of their mind. Primarily, the Smiths view their mission of the toy shop in the context of local ministry and giving children and families time to connect over toys and play. Randall told me time and again, that having the experience of an old world toy shop where children can come in and see the toys out of their boxes and where they can use their senses is really where their focus lies.

As we’ve seen the growing share of the retail market being taken over by big box stores and online retailers, it was clear to me the first time entering the store that this was not your typical retail establishment. Vivaldi’s “Four Seasons” gently and gracefully flowed around the store, the lacquered walnut shelves were gleaming, and the Lite-Brite Box was twinkling in the back room. Maybe it was my imagination, but I think the smell of peppermint was also present. I asked Randall about his affinity for music, and he cracked a warm smile, telling me he loves all kinds of music. He spent time enumerating his love of Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite as he described how special that ballet is and how it embodies the childlike wonder of the Christmas season.

As I bid Randall adieu, I turned the brass doorknob and pulled the door to me, I quickly noticed the tinkle from the classic English bell affixed to the top of the door, announcing visitors’ entry and exit. Randall was quick to tell me that he was gifted that bell from friends in England, and he added how it brought authenticity to the “old world toy shop” that he and his wife had worked so hard to achieve.

My 90-minute visit with Randall was a salve to my soul. I felt time slowing down and my mind went to my two young sons that I knew would revel in this experiential toy store. I imagined my boys growing their imagination and at the same time helping me tap into the nostalgia of a simpler time in my own life when joy was accessed through playing and creating with my hands instead of scrolling through social media.

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This December, The Symphony of Toys will continue to sponsor and participate in The Strand’s Christmas Royal Tea and Yuletide Ball where children and their guests are encouraged to dress up and enjoy Christmas festivities. Randall couldn’t hide his joy when he told me they would be able to be a part of this event again after missing 2020 due to the pandemic.

Come reexperience your youth and see the joy on a child’s face at Symphony of Toys located at 627 Cherokee St. NE #2, Marietta, GA 30060. The Smiths can be found from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm Wednesday through Saturday. Appointments are accepted for other days and times as well.

You can also reach them by phone at 770.499.7939 or by email at [email protected]

You can also check them out on Facebook or on their website at www.symphonyoftoys.biz