Hall of Fame: World of Mirth

First Place: The Toy Center

Closed as of May 13.

Second Place: Toys That Teach

Third Place: Toys R Us

Talk about going out with a bang. After more than 50 years in business, the Toy Center closed its doors May 13 on Patterson Avenue. Its owner since 2009, Mary Mollen, says online competition did in the store, which focused on books, arts and crafts, and the Corolle line of dolls. “I’m going to miss all my customers and watching the kids grow up,” she said the day before closing. “We were hands-on in the store, and they could come in here to play. That’s what we were known for. It was all about creativity and imagination and all that stuff.” World of Mirth, the Hall of Fame toy store, still hoists the local flag, but the Toy Center surely will be missed by many generations of Richmonders.