About Us

Hi, I’m Randy! I started collecting antique toys while working as a diesel mechanic in the late 1970’s. I could only afford to buy collectibles that were broken, missing parts or in poor condition – not the mint toys I yearned for. I soon began experimenting with ways to restore these “misfit toys” I had acquired; making parts and painting them to return the toys to their original beauty. I researched techniques used to manufacture these toys trying to duplicate them using makeshift tools and odd procedures. Often I would run across a boxed toy where the box itself needed tender loving care. I began developing ways to restore boxes as well.

Much time was spent in the garage, basement and kitchen of my home which later became inadequate to house all the equipment and supplies necessary to restore items for my collection. I began showing off my restored toys to other collectors who were amazed at the work coming from a truck mechanic. Some of these collectors brought their own broken toys for me to fix, which I gladly accepted to help support the growing enthusiasm I had for this hobby. I soon became overwhelmed with toy repair work and had to quit my mechanics job to better serve the needs of my customers. This was the beginning of Randy’s Toy Shop! This was in 1987.

We have “brought back to life” over 20,000 old toys and their boxes coming up on our 30th year of restoration!

The clutter and noise in our home soon prompted my loving and understanding wife to persuade me (with a wave of a frying pan) to convert our dilapidated chicken coop into a new home for Randy’s Toy Shop. The Building was built entirely new by Myself and some family members! while I worked on toys in the evening and built during the day! when it was completed it was 20’x70′. Soon Craftsmen were hired, methods were updated and new equipment was bought to meet the growing needs of the business. We sold the farm in 1998 and moved from Carmel to the next town North.