Photo by Monique Schoenfeld, Town Crier
Craig Sterner, 9, has more than 100 Beanie Babies in his collection. His favorites are dogs named Spunky and Bones.
Special to the Town Crier
Since pushing Tickle Me Elmo and the Power Rangers aside, Beanie Babies have continued to reign as one of the country's most popular toys. Los Altos is no exception.
Walk into many downtown offices and sitting on computers or grouped on desks are Beanie Babies.
Stores in Los Altos can't keep them in stock or have stopped selling them because of customer fights over the polyester beanbag animals stuffed with P.V.C. pellets.
"The manufacturer, Ty Warner, can't ship because of demand. In April we received a shipment and sold 80 in a day and a half. Kids, collectors and adults call and ask all the time, 'When are you getting your next shipment?' I don't know," said Stephanie Ravizza, store manager for Adventure Toys on Main Street in Los Altos.
Los Altos Card and Party received a big shipment last Monday and the beanbags are already gone.
Kevin Beckstead, owner of How Sweet It Is on Main Street, said she has carried Beanie Babies for five years. She said when McDonald's started to sell Teenie Beanies - smaller versions of the beanbag animals - last year as part of a promotion, the Beanie Babies fad became even more popular.
What started as a toy for kids is now a fad covering all ages. Teenie Beanies from last spring now sell for about $20. "Princess Bear" and "Erin Bear" are hard to find for less than $200. The suggested retail price by the manufacturer is $5.99.
Los Altos prices range from $5 at Los Altos Card and Party to $8.50 at Just for You Flowers in Rancho Shopping Center.
Vi D'Oliva, co-owner of Just for You Flowers, said most of her Beanie Babies have been "retired" - or are no longer manufactured - making their prices higher.
"Everyone wants the Princess Bear and the Erin Bear, and we don't have them," she said.
Collectors can find Beanie Babies in downtown stores, the classified section of most newspapers or at collectible shows.