F.A.O. Schwarz

The original Manhattan F.A.O. Schwarz store opened in 1870 on lower Broadway. This current flagship store opened in 1986. Despite a bankruptcy scare in 2003 which forced the store to close for a short time, this store has continued to attract both New Yorkers and tourists of all ages despite some stiff competition from the Toys R Us Times Square store. Oh and if you ever wondered what the F A O stood for, it's Frederick August Otto, the name of the original owner.

Nearest Subway Stop: 5th Avenue N R (W)

Scenes at this Location

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  Photo Copyright 20th Century Fox 1988
  Big
  Directed by: Penny Marshall
  Starring: Tom Hanks, Robert Loggia
  After Josh (Hanks) spends a day in this toy store with his boss (Loggia), including some time on the giant piano keyboard, he is promoted to vice-president. What his boss doesn't know of course, is that the reason Josh is so knowledgable about toys is that in reality he's only 13 years old.