Kip’s Toyland Faces Uncertain Future as Tariffs Threaten Longtime Los Angeles Business
However, the city’s oldest toy store now finds itself grappling with the harsh impact of a 145% tariff on most Chinese imports, a move that jeopardizes its survival.
Kipper shared letters from suppliers with CNN, warning of price hikes and encouraging bulk orders before the tariffs take effect.
This is just another ripple from the trade war between President Donald Trump’s administration and China, which has left the U.S. toy industry struggling. According to the U.S. Commerce Department, the U.S. This is largely due to the robust toy manufacturing infrastructure that has developed in China over the past quarter-century.
For Kipper, whose store heavily relies on Chinese imports, the inevitable price increases are a daunting challenge.
To make matters worse, some suppliers have informed Kipper that they are halting production lines that would have supplied toys for holiday sales in the U.S.
A Post-War Dream
Don shared that his father’s plane was shot down over Bologna, Italy, during the war, and he was captured and sent to a German POW camp.
Determined to make something positive of his life after the war, Kip Kipper decided that if he ever made it out alive, he would pursue a career that brought joy. That dream turned into Kip’s Toyland, a store that has since brought smiles to countless families in Los Angeles.
In August 1945, nearly a year after being captured, Irvin “Kip” Kipper was freed by General George Patton’s troops.
While bringing this infrastructure back to the U.S. is not impossible, it would require at least five years to set up, and even then, prices would rise due to higher labor and regulatory costs in America.
While the manufacturing origins may have shifted, the essence of Kip’s Toyland has remained the same. The store doesn’t carry any electronic or battery-operated toys. Instead, it continues to offer a nostalgic selection of classic toys, from puzzles and trucks to dolls, creating a tactile experience where children can explore, touch, and interact.
Shifting Buying Habits
However, if the price were to rise to $30 due to tariffs, she said she would need to cut back on purchases.
It’s a real gem, and not being able to visit and buy something here would be a real loss.”
Chelsea Kwoka, another parent and longtime Kip’s customer, shared similar concerns, saying that if prices were to increase dramatically, she would be able to buy fewer toys for her children.
“Honestly, it’s a tough time for everyone, and if I’m being honest, buying less stuff isn’t a problem I want to tackle,” she explained.
Kipper is aware that his store may face difficulties, but he remains hopeful that there will still be parents who stop by for a last-minute birthday gift.
However, if the cost of acquiring his store’s classic toys increases due to the tariffs, Kipper knows he’ll have no choice but to raise prices.