Tuesday, April 4, 2023

Rigbee's Kiddieland Easter Ad – 1953

Lorain Journal ad from March 25, 1953
Although very young kids probably associate candy with Easter, Rigbee's Kiddieland was hoping that toys could piggyback onto the holiday as well. 'Easter Toys' are front and center in the ad for the store that ran in the Lorain Journal back in late March 1953.

It's an odd assortment, that's for sure. The uncomfortable-looking Kiddie Pedal Kar for $3.98 is more of a trike or scooter than a car, and looks like it was gathering dust in the Rigbee basement since 1918. The Cowboy Bicycle for $24.88 is interesting; it comes with a cork gun, saddle bags and a leather saddle. It's more expensive than the Child's Auto, which ran $13.88 and looked pretty cool. Other Easter-rific gifts include Archery Sets, a Table & Chair Set and a Wading Pool. 

I like the illustration of the toddler looking out of his wooden Pres-Toe Alcatraz.

Anyway, the only real Easter toys in the ad are the Plush Bunnies, Chicks and Dogs. I don't know what an Easter Dog looks like, but the bunny looks good.

It's much more appealing than today's modern, top-of-the-line Gund Easter Bunny (below) – which looks more like a dust bunny.

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8 comments:

  1. -Alan D HopewellApril 4, 2023 at 7:56 AM

    I got a bow and arrow set like that when I was six (seven?), from W.T. Grant, and Ma took it away when she saw that I 'd taken the suction cups off the tips, and was sharpening the ends on the sandstone sidewalk.
    I don't think I ever went to Rigbee's, but I thought the mural on the back wall was pretty cool, 'cause we had a swing set in our yard that had flying rings like that.

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  2. BusterApril 4, 2023 at 10:45 AM

    I wonder if "Rigbee's" ever fielded any complaints from Higbee's.

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  3. Don HiltonApril 4, 2023 at 3:38 PM

    Alan:

    Sharpening didn't bother Mom.
    Shooting them straight up in the air and running didn't bother Mom.
    Sticking one straight down into the roof of the house...
    THAT bothered Mom.

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  4. Mike KozlowskiApril 4, 2023 at 4:31 PM

    Dan,

    How long did Rigbee's hold out? We got there in '65 and I don't remember it at all.

    Mike

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  5. AnonymousApril 4, 2023 at 5:03 PM

    That little cowboy bicycle would cause all the uptight liberals of today alot of stress.With a cork gun of all things attached to it.But they would probably like it for being built in a girls style.That way little Johnnie or his alter ego Jennie,could climb on it with no problem at all.

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  6. Dan BradyApril 4, 2023 at 6:13 PM

    Hi Mike,
    Looks like Rigbee's appeared in the Lorain City Directory until the 1971 edition.

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