Long Islanders Voted Bobb Howard’s General Store Best Collectible & Nostalgia Store on Long Island!
1. Bobb Howard’s General Store
581 Lakeville Rd., New Hyde Park. 516-354-9564. www.bobbhowardsgeneralstore.com
If you remember the delicious taste of Sugar Babies, blowing a big bubble with Bazooka or sitting on the curb eating a Fun Dip, then you need to take a trip to Bobb Howard’s, a wonderland of candy and toys that doesn’t just sell nostalgic merchandise, it’s even in the air. Owners Eileen and Ronnie describe themselves as “a couple of baby boomers who grew up on Long Island playing hopscotch and hide-and-seek, stickball and stoopball, flipping baseball cards and jacks, and playing hit the penny and spin the bottle.” And it’s that whimsical feeling you’ll get stepping inside this general store and family auto repair shop. Now a local landmark, Bobb Howard’s not only carries everything from Chocolate Babies to Spirographs, but brings us all back to a simpler time, making Long Islanders of all ages feel like a “kid in a candy store” as soon as they step inside.
2. Living Legends Memorabilia and Collectibles
2473B Merrick Rd., Bellmore. 516-826-4000.
Owner Warren Heller has carved out a special niche in Bellmore thanks to his Living Legends Memorabilia and Collectibles, which specializes in offering unforgettable souvenirs signed by famous athletes, entertainers and politicians. Once Heller was a lawyer who collected autographs on the side, but since 1996 he turned his career around, and put collectibles first.
3. Land of Oohs and Oz
155 Main St., Farmingdale. 516-420-9214.
Thanks to the tireless efforts of Land of Oohs and Oz owner Rob Croes and A.J. Schumacher, this store on Main Street has seen demand soar for its quirky collection of rare comic books, toys and more, as collectors around the world have been turned on to their fascinating offerings via the internet.
