Johnny’s Toys in Latonia played a vital role in the childhoods of many kids across Northern Kentucky. Its distinctive castle turrets and unique atmosphere sparked joyful memories for years. The closure of Johnny’s Toys in 2009 marked the loss of a beloved community fixture in Latonia.
This year, Latonia native Tabetha Boggs has revived a toy store in Latonia by opening Miss Tabby’s Toys & Treats over 15 years after Johnny’s Toys closed.
On Monday, the City of Covington held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for Miss Tabby’s Toys & Treats to celebrate the business’s opening back in June. Covington Mayor Ron Washington, who said he visited Johnny’s Toys throughout his childhood, said Miss Tabby’s Toys & Treats marked the return of a toy store to Latonia.
“Latonia is known for its toys, for the former Johnny’s Toy shop, and Johnny’s Toys was around so long ago that I remember it as a kid,” Washington said.
Located at 17 W. Southern Ave. in Latonia, the toy store is just the latest installment in a community-wide effort to restore the neighborhood’s eclectic small business sector.
“I was getting all the toys, putting everything together, I just kept thinking of Johnny’s Toys, because I still remember–six years old getting that postcard in the mail,” she said. “I know this isn’t gonna be exactly like Johnny’s toy right away. It’s very, very big shoes to fill.”
Inside, the store’s walls feature toy displays from well-known media franchises like Barbie, Batman, Star Wars and the Avengers. The store has two rooms filled with toys, offering customers a wide selection of action figures, dolls, puzzles, games, and airguns.
In addition to toys, Tabby’s also offers a variety of treats, with shelves stocked with candy. In their back room, Tabby’s has a table set up where customers can select a brown paper bag of unknown treats, or they can choose free assortments of candies like gumdrops and gum.
During the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Boggs mentioned it took months for her to gather enough inventory to open the store. Like Washington, Boggs fondly remembered visiting Johnny’s Toys throughout her childhood. With the opening of the toy store, Boggs aimed to bring that magic back to the kids of Latonia.
“We’re trying to offer something where the kids can come in and it’s just for them,” she said.
According to its official Facebook page, Miss Tabby’s Toys & Treats is open Fridays from 5 to 9 p.m., Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.