Are you looking for the best plush stores? You have landed on the right page, then! Not only will we suggest you the best plush stores out there, but our comprehensive guide will also help you in other ways like:
- How to find the best plush stores around you?
- What are some of the best plush brands out there?
- Some popular plush store recommendations in the U.S.
- Where to buy Squishmallows?
And more!
So, without further ado, I think we should go ahead and dive into our write-up.
How Do You Find the Best Plush Store Around You?
Are you traveling to a new city? Do you need to familiarize yourself with your surrounding area? Or perhaps you’ve never shopped for plushies before? Whatever the scene looks like for you, we understand it can be overwhelming to explore uncharted waters.
But don’t worry; we’ve got your back! Here are some tips for finding out the best plush stores around you regardless of where you are in the world.
Check Online
Nowadays, what’s your first move when you’re in a pickle or searching for something? It involves tapping that trusty search engine icon if you’re anything like us. That’s what landed you here on this page, right?
In the same way, Google can help you find just about anything. And you don’t even have to put much effort from your side.
Search “plush toy stores near me” or “plush toy stores in (the city you’re in).” And ta-da! Google will pop up with a list of potential places to visit.
Pro Tip: depending on where you are, changing your searches to “stuffed toy stores near me” or “soft toy stores near me,” might bring up better results.
Get Recommendations From Friends and Family
What to do when Google fails you? While that’s unlikely, your next best bet is to ask for recommendations from your friends, neighbors, or family.
Do any of your friends have kids? We’re pretty sure you’ll get some tried-and-tested recommendations from them.
Explore The Streets
For the adventurous souls who love good ol’ fashioned explorations, hitting the streets is where the magic happens. Put on your shoes, grab a coffee, and get on the sidewalks like a plush detective.
Roaming the streets lets you soak in the local vibe while uncovering hidden stores that might not appear on your screen. Look out for those charming boutique shops, whimsical toy stores, and quirky corners. Who knows, you might even end up with some antique teddy bears or vintage stuffed animals!
Check Out Yelp
Yelp is an American company that publishes crowd-sourced reviews about businesses.
An impressive feature of this site is that it offers reviews and experiences from other customers. You can read them and decide which store to visit accordingly.
Join Online Communities
You can find online communities of plush enthusiasts on several online discussion websites like Quora and Reddit. Such sites are buzzing with discussions about plush toys.
Social media giants like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram have plushie lovers showcasing their finds and offering recommendations.
So, whether you want to trade plush toys, score some insider tips, or just bask in the adorable world of plush toys, these online hubs are your plush paradise. Connect with like-minded folks, and who knows, you might just score some plush gems you’d never have stumbled upon otherwise.
Top 9 Plush Brands You Should Check Out
If you want to take the online route to find your next plush companion, consider checking out the following brands.
You can find these branded plushies on sites like Amazon, Etsy, Walmart, eBay, and even their official brand website.
Squishmallows
Debuting in 2017, Squishmallows is a brand featuring various collectible plush toys. They’re known for their lovable personalities, ultra-soft feel, and whimsical designs.
Are you wondering how inanimate objects like stuffed toys can have their own personalities? All credit goes to the company for creating interesting backstories for each Squishmallow character printed on their tags.
The company behind these premium soft toys is Kelly Toy Holding.
Cute Plushies
Cute Plushies was founded by a team of plush toy enthusiasts to ease stress, spread joy, and inspire a love for life through plush toys.
The company currently sells over 100 plushies, which is steadily increasing. Although the selection is quite limited at the moment, the variety and quality are second to none.
Cute Plushies crafts their cuddly companions using non-toxic materials and a hefty dose of craftsmanship.
Aurora
Established in 1981 in South Korea, Aurora has made a name for itself in the toy market not only for offering some of the best soft toys but also for its commitment to using 100% sustainable materials.
Fast forward four decades and Aurora isn’t just any player in the toy scene. They’ve risen to global standards, setting the bar high for superior-quality plush toys that don’t compromise on environmental responsibility.
Gund
Gund pioneered licensed soft toys by transforming characters like Mickey Mouse into cuddly companions.
Founded by a German immigrant, they were among the earliest to commercially sell teddy bears and introduced under-stuffing their plush toys for extra squishiness.
Hasbro
Originating as a textile company in 1923, Hasbro transitioned into a toy giant by 1942.
Today, the brand is popular for offering some of the best board games and collectibles in the market. Nonetheless, their soft toys are also highly sought after.
Douglas
One of America’s most beloved and oldest plush toy companies, Douglas has been committed to making safe and premium quality soft toys for more than five decades.
One of the most popular Douglas’ plush toys is their line of stuffed dogs. Thanks to intricate craftsmanship and high-quality materials, Douglas’ stuffed dogs look remarkably lifelike.
Jelly Cat
For those who have a soft spot for plush toys, Jelly Cat is a name that resonates. Their utterly charming stuffed bunnies have likely captured your heart. But there’s a whole world of wonder behind this brand.
This UK-based toy company has been creating soft toys from luxurious fabrics since the late 90s. Their creations are original and innovative, bringing joy to all ages.
Lambs & Ivy
For people with sensitive skin or allergies, you’ll be glad to know that Lambs & Ivy creates all their stuffed toys with 100% hypoallergenic fabric. Plus, they also ensure not to include any hard pieces like noses or eyes on their plushies, making them baby friendly.
Vermont Teddy Bear Company
If you’re on the market exclusively looking for teddy bears, consider checking out the Vermont Teddy Bear Company.
Established in 1983, the company is one of the largest producers of plush teddies, handcrafting around 500,000 plush bears every year.
5 Popular Plush Stores in The U.S.
Check it out. We’ve rounded out the best plush stores in the land of Stars and Stripes. No matter the city you live in, chances are, you might find one of these giant retail stores in your region.
Toys “R” Us
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, we’re sure you’ve been to or at least heard about this store. The company has opened over 700 stores in the US and internationally.
Its flagship store which is located at the American Dream complex in New Jersey is considered the largest toy store in the country.
Target
Headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Target operates stores in all 50 U.S. states. It is a general merchandise retailer. Meaning they sell a wide variety of food and general merchandise from household items to electronics to clothing and, of course, plush toys.
Fun Fact: 75% of U.S. residents live within 10 miles of a Target store. Are you one of them?
Walmart
Starting as a small discount retailer in Roger, Arkansas, Walmart today operates thousands of stores in the U.S. and beyond. Like Target, you can find almost all things imaginable at one of your local Walmart stores, including stuffed toys.
Playthings, Etc.
This unusual-looking toy store is located north of Pittsburg. Self-proclaimed as the world’s coolest toy store, Playthings Etc. offers more than 7000 toys to choose from, and they continue adding more to their collection.
FAO Schwarz
It is the oldest U.S. toy store, founded in 1862, and offers one of the largest collections of plush animals. Not only is it a famous toy store, but it has also become a tourist attraction and a popular filmmaking destination.
Did you know that hit movies like The Smurfs, Mighty Aphrodite, Eyes Wide Shut, and Big were shot at this iconic shop?
Diving Deeper Into Squishmallows
For this section of our article, we plan on covering one of the biggest players in the plush market, i.e., Squishmallows. Are you a Squishmallow enthusiast or collector looking for the best places to expand your collection? Well, here are all the places you should check.
Where Can You Buy Squishmallows?
Besides the official Squishmallow website, here are some of the most popular retailers offering these squishy plush toys:
Amazon
Amazon is like the king of all retail stores. You can find almost anything on this eCommerce site. And expectedly, it is also one of the prime places to buy official Squishmallows.
Claire’s
You can find authentic Squishmallows at both land-based and online Claire’s stores. It offers a wide variety of regular and rare ‘mallows from Boba Tea plush, Sinclair the Avocado Toast, to Austin the Avocado.
Walmart
All the YouTubers seem to hit Walmart on their Squishmallow hunt videos. And why not! It is one of the bigger stores to offer some of the best Squishmallows on a budget.
Did you know that there are some Squishmallows (or alternate editions_ exclusively sold at Walmart? These include Althea, Amideus, Cyra, Harlan, Joey, Justin, Monica, and Sophie.
Target
Similar to Walmart, Target also offers more budget-friendly Squishmallows. There are more than 40 Squishmallows exclusive to Target. Some of the most popular characters include Archie, Dani, Nora, Conway, and Sawtelle.
Hallmark
For those looking for high-end or rare Squishmallows, you can check out Hallmark.
Walgreens
Along with easily available Squishmallows, Walgreens tend to carry a collection of rare, holiday-themed Squishmallows. They also offer Disney Squishmallows. Consequently, their prices are a little more than other retailers.
Further Reading:
https://letstalkteddybears.com/manufacturers/gund-manufacturing/
https://www.toynk.com/blogs/news/best-stuffed-animal-brands
English 
Deutsch 
Français 
Español 
العربية 
Português 
日本語 
Русский