Celebrating 20 years of play: J.W. Allen’s continues to delight Park City families

PARK CITY, Utah — J.W. Allen & Sons has been more than just a toy store for two decades. It’s a community staple where nostalgia lives on and childhood magic still lines the shelves.

Founded in 2005 by Jon Allen, the shop opened its doors in the then-developing Redstone area of Kimball Junction. Allen and his family had recently relocated from Long Island, New York, where he had previously run a packaging business. A longtime vacationer to Park City, Allen spotted a unique opportunity to offer something special to the growing community.

“We had been coming out on vacation for years and loved Park City,” Allen said. “There was a toy store on Main Street that had closed, and I thought there was a little niche we could fulfill for the community.”

From the beginning, Allen envisioned something more than retail—a store that would evoke the feel of an old-school neighborhood toy shop, with an array of classic toys, games, puzzles, and candies that appealed to all ages.“My vision was to bring back that nostalgic old-school toy store feel we all grew up with,” Allen said. “Every town had one before the big boxes came in.”

That nostalgic atmosphere is part of what has kept J.W. Allen’s popular among locals and visitors alike. The store’s mix of vintage and contemporary toys is curated with care, and the staff offers the kind of friendly, knowledgeable service that’s increasingly rare. “With any small business, a warm, inviting, knowledgeable staff makes all the difference,” Allen said. “We want the store to feel inviting, with trends in new toys and games, but also with retro things that parents and grandparents remember—Etch A Sketches, army men, Barbie dolls. Things that bring back that old feel.”

In an age dominated by digital entertainment, Allen has intentionally steered the store away from screens, focusing instead on tactile, imaginative play. “I’ve tried to stay away from video games,” Allen said. “Imaginative play is still such a big part of childhood—building blocks, Lincoln Logs, Hot Wheels. I always tell parents and grandparents sometimes it’s about combining toys to create a little world.”

Board games and puzzles, in particular, have remained a staple. “Sitting down for family gameplay is really a big part of Utah culture,” he added. “It’s amazing how popular board games still are.”

Allen’s store has become a place where generations meet. Customers who once visited as kids now return with their own children. “It’s been so wonderful to have the local support,” Allen said. “I’ve seen kids I coached in lacrosse in third grade who are now out of college and bringing in their own little ones. Someone will walk in and say, ‘I remember coming here when I was four,’ and now they’re six-foot-four.”

Among Allen’s favorite memories was a Harry Potter-themed event at Redstone, when local businesses came together to celebrate the release of a new film. “We all dressed up as Harry Potter characters,” he said. “We offered themed candy and toys, and the kids came down in costume for a free showing. It was just a great night for families.”

Other standout moments come each winter when Park City transforms into a postcard-perfect ski town. “Christmases with guaranteed snow, kids outside with sleds and snowballs, families inside the store with smiles—it’s exactly what you’d hope for,” he said.

Some of Allen’s most memorable moments, however, capture the playful spirit he set out to create. “I’ve seen kids solve Rubik’s Cubes in seconds right in front of me,” he said. “One day, I walked into the puzzle room and spotted an Etch A Sketch on the shelf with a perfect silhouette of Abraham Lincoln. Someone must’ve spent hours in the back creating it.”

Another time, a customer’s musical surprise brought the store to life. “A dad once came in and serenaded the store for an hour on one of the ukuleles. He played for everyone. It was such a fun, unexpected moment,” Allen said.

The store also played host to a high-energy international event. “We helped promote Pogo sticking with Pogo Palooza,” Allen said. “We had kids from all over the world bouncing across the street from the store. It was wild—and so much fun.”

As the store celebrates its 20th year, Allen is preparing to pass the reins to the next generation. His middle son, Kent Allen, and Kent’s fiancée, Avery Yeatman, are stepping in to continue the family legacy.

Whether a first-time visitor marvels at the shelves or a longtime customer returns for tradition, Allen said the goal has always been the same: to create a space where imagination thrives and memories are made. As the store enters its next chapter, J.W. Allen & Sons remains rooted in community, committed to play, and guided by the enduring joy of childhood.

“I know Kent and Avery will continue the store’s legacy for the next 20 years,” Allen said.