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Aladdin's Lamp
2499 North Harrison Street
Arlington Va 22207
703-241-8281
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Aladdin's Lamp is quietly located on the lower level of the Lee Harrison Street Shopping Center. A popular attraction for years, the store shingle was first hung in Falls Church for 12 years. After the move, loyal customers still came calling. The store offers a great storytime, author visits and even a great nook with lots of toys for your little one. The store's selection will woo you. It is a little hard to find but worth the trip. Noteworthy, storytime with Miss Jenny on Friday's. Plus Aladdin's Lamp is located in the same shopping center that is home to Taqueria el Poblano Mexican restaurant and Pie-Tazzo, an awesome pizza joint. Ahh, the perfect outing.
Barnes & Noble
DC Metro locations
www.barnesandnoble.com
Barnes & Noble continues to be a perennial favorite for the young and old. Each store boasts a welcoming offering of magazines, endless shelves of books, a large children's section complete with a train table and even a coffee bar with Wi-Fi . I have found that almost every Barnes and Noble offers a storytime during the week as well as on weekends. In addition to Junior's storytime, they also offer book clubs that promise spirited dialogue in a cozy environment. Noteworthy, I was impressed to see a nice selection of Melissa and Doug puzzles in the children's section. Better yet, the prices were better than Pottery Barn Kids.
Border's
Check website for DC Metro locations
www.bordersstores.com
Borders Books is a great destination for your little one as well as yourself. The children's section in the Tyson's Corner Store takes up most of the second floor. They have a huge selection of books, stuffed animals and puzzles. All of the local Borders Books stores provide storytimes during the week as well as on some weekend nights. Tyson's Corner also hosts Mr. Knick-Knack on Saturday mornings. As expected, Borders offers a coffee bar, a wide array of books on every topic and, as mentioned, a generous kid's corner.
Hooray For Books
1555 King Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
703-548-4092
www.hooray4books.com/
Hooray for Books! is an independent bookstore, owned by Ellen Klein and Trish Brown. Together they have more than two decades of experience selling children's books! After working at A Likely Story, they decided to re-open a children's bookstore at the same location in Old Town Alexandria.
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Politics & Prose
5015 Connecticut Avenue
Washington DC 20008
202-364-1919
www.politics-prose.com/
The quintessential DC book store. Unlike some national chains, P&P boasts a hometown experience that can be felt throughout this lively book store located in the heart of DC. Local owners, who started Politics and Prose some 25 years ago, can still be seen working the floor and getting to know their well read and politically savvy DC customer base. The offering includes a gracious and relaxing coffee bar, an almost infinite amount of books and a thoughtful children's section. Check the website for a current list of activities, storytimes and author visits. Noteworthy, Politics and Prose also offers kiddies activities that take place in some local venues such as the Air and Space Museum.
Target
DC Metro locations
www.target.com
This mega-store serves up everything from clothes to groceries. I love their Liz Lange maternity wear. I wasn't willing to spend $150.00 for a dress at Pea in a Pod. My Liz Lange gear held up well and didn't require a lot of ironing. Some kid’s clothing prices are a bit high. A better option is Kohl's. Target does get high marks for their Robeez knockoffs, which are 70% less than the brand name shoe. Diapers and formula are moderately priced, but are cheaper at wholesale clubs. NOTE, Target gets a big “Thumbs Down” on their baby furniture and web sales. Their return policies make gift registries a nightmare! Target is best for knick-knacks, cards, toiletries, clothing accessories and outdoor items. Be sure to check out the book shelves, storage solutions and robust toy selection. The toy section is easier to navigate than Toys R Us.
Tree Top Kids
Check website for DC Metro locations
www.treetopkids.com/
For those who haven't discovered the phenomenon that is Tree Top Kids, read on. This is a diverse store that carries toys, high-end clothes, books and unique one-of-kind items that your kids will adore. In addition to the trendy wares, Tree Top also hosts an incredible line-up of local performers and special guests. The Great Zucchini, Mr. Knick-Knack, Rocknoceros, Santa and even President Bush have all made in-store appearances. While ownership changed hands in 2003, the same excellent level of customer service and commitment to quality goods has remained. A loyal customer base has enabled this fledgling chain to continue to expand. Check the website to see the most updated listing of store locations and events.
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