Mice in F.A.O. Schwartz

Hopefully, when you inhabit a space, you don't have to deal with any critters inhabiting it with you. And if, by some chance they do, you certainly hope that none of your customers see them. And if your customers do, you hope that they don't happen to be members of the media in the media center of the United States. And if they are, you are F.A.O. Schwartz.

A couple weeks ago, a New York Daily News reporter spied (and photographed) three mice (no word on whether they were blind) in the famed New York toy store. I'm sure it's much ado about very little, but after the KFC thing last year, you can't blame people for freaking out when there are rodents seen inside a retail establishment.

Hilarious piece on FAO Schwartz in 'This American Life'

I'm a big fan of 'This American Life,' a NPR show that airs each week. It's a show (now spunoff into a TV Series on Showtime) that focus' on one theme each week and presents 3-5 'acts' (stories) that are variations of the themes.

On the way down to Disney World, my wife and I listened to some of the podcasts of past shows that had backed up on my Ipod. Show number 347, 'Matchmakers' featured a often hilarious retelling of the experiences of selling ultra high-end Middleton Dolls at FAO Schwartz, in New York City. The storyteller is Elna Baker, an actress in NYC who took a job in the FAO 'Nursery' selling....er....adopting these babies to rich New York kids. When the dolls are portrayed on a TV show, the demand for the babies skyrocket. Listen to the podcast as the Ms. Baker relates what happens when rich white mommies are faced with a racial dilemma. You can listen to the show by clicking the link above and streaming it, or buy it for 95 cents. Fast forward the show to about 41 minutes - Act three.

C.E.O. of F.A.O.

Surely, there's a better job in the retail toy world than being the Chief Executive Officer of fabled toy retailer F.A.O. Schwartz in New York, but I don't know it.

The New York Times did a quick profile of Ed Schmultz, the current C.E.O. Check it out.