Different Kind of Toy Store Opens in Lakewood

Put away your pre-conceived notions about toys and the places that sell them.

There’s a new toy store in town. 

Sleepy Robot 13, at 13345 Madison Avenue, recently opened its doors, selling “urban-vinyl designer toys” catered to adults.

It’s more art than play.

“We say toys because they’re still toys,” said store owner Lisastarchild Pinkston. “But they’re not meant for children.”

The store’s shelves are stocked with parody — think the Simpsons, Star Wars and Freddy Krueger — and American translations of Japanese characters.

The toys range in price from $7 to $100, but most of the items in the store range from $10 to $20.

The artists start out on canvas, then take the sketches and convert them into three-dimensional objects, Pinkston said.

The 26-year-old got her start in sculpting when she was 8 years old when her mother tried to get her into ceramics. 

“But I didn’t have the patience,” Pinkston said. “So my mom brought me some clay.” 

About three years ago, she began creating robot figurines.

The word spread.

When Pinkston outgrew the space in the studio of her Parma home, she went shopping for a storefront.

“These aren’t Toys ‘R’ Us toys that are mass-produced,” she said. “Technically, they’re all limited edition. There are usually only 100 to 500 produced — at the most.”

In fact, Pinkston added that many of the toys can't even be found in stores outside of New York City or Los Angeles.

Sleepy Robot 13 also sells work crafted by several local artists. 

“We’ve got a nice mix of national and local art,” she said, who added that she still does most of her business online.

But just because the toys in her store aren’t necessarily for children, Pinkston’s still hoping to have some fun.

The store will host Saturday Morning Cartoons — which is exactly what it sounds like. Every first Saturday of the month, the store will feature vintage cartoons and offer sugary cereal. Those who wear pajamas get 10 percent off everything in the store.

“This whole thing is a work of passion,” Pinkston said.

Sleepy Robot 13 is open noon to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. 

Correction: Saturday Morning Cartoons event takes place on the first Saturday of every month.