Clean up on toys as warehouses clean out

Sandra Phillips

December, 2009

For years there was a dearth of places to get deals on toys – and believe me, I looked.

But suddenly this year we have not one, but three places offering warehouse sales to the public for incredible bargains on toys.

While you may not find this year’s hottest “must-haves,” you will find such basics as cars, dolls, books, bath toys, crafts, and puzzles at prices that should fit into your budget. Some of these same toys are being sold elsewhere in town at full price. Think of these sales as garage sales by businesses who need to clean out this year’s merchandise to make room for next season.

A homegrown company, Mega Brands just had their seasonal sale in the warehouse at their headquarters, but don’t despair because they now have a permanent toy outlet.

Besides their well-known snap together Mega Bloks, they also sell arts and crafts under the RoseArt brand and MagNext building sets, King Arthur construction sets, Mickey Mouse clubhouse construction sets, wagons, trucks, Triazzle puzzles, High School Musical and Hannah Montana crafts and Board Dudes.

Location: 4505 Hickmore, Ville St. Laurent. Hours: Tuesdays 12-6 pm, Thursdays 12-8 pm, Saturdays 10 am-4 pm. Info: 514-333-3339 or www.megabrands.com

Danawares offers a one-week sale of seasonal ornaments, puzzles, games, plush, toys, crafts, shovels, place mats, baby items, room accessories with such brand names as Princesses; Cars; Toy Story; Fairies; Winnie the Pooh; Dora the Explorer; Ni Hao, Kai Lan; Thomas; Max & Ruby; Backyardigans and more. This is a small space, but the prices are excellent. Location: 7010 Côte de Liesse. Hours: December 5 to 12, 10 am-4 pm. Info: www.danawares.com

Every fall, JRC toy warehouse opens to the public with deals of up to 70 per cent off. The company holds another sale in May. The warehouse has items by such brands as Barbie, Crayola, Fisher-Price, Hasbro, Hot Wheels, Little Tikes, Mattel, Mega Bloks and VTech as well as books for as low as $1.

Corporations, day cares or anyone holding Christmas events can buy in bulk and have the gifts wrapped.

Location: 5589 Royalmount at Devonshire. Open daily until Christmas. Info: 514-342-6979 or www.jrctoys.com