Remember Duncan’s Toy Chest? Let’s See If It’s Still Around!

Remember Duncan’s Toy Chest? Let’s See If It’s Still Around!

Okay, so who hasn’t dreamed of diving headfirst into Duncan’s Toy Chest after watching “Home Alone 2”? Seriously, that place was toy heaven! For decades, it’s been etched in our minds as the ultimate, magical toy store. But here’s the big question that always pops up around the holidays: can you actually visit Duncan’s Toy Chest? Is it a real place?

Well, I’ve got some news for you, and it might sting a little. Duncan’s Toy Chest, the one that made us all drool in “Home Alone 2,” was actually made up for the movie. Yep, it was the brainchild of John Hughes, the writer and producer, who conjured it up just for the film. The name? It was a sweet shout-out to Duncan Henderson, the executive producer. A nice touch, right?

Now, where did they get the idea for such an amazing place? Word is, Duncan’s Toy Chest was heavily inspired by the legendary FAO Schwarz in New York City. The goal was to recreate that feeling of endless toys and pure, unadulterated joy. FAO Schwarz used to be right by The Plaza Hotel on Fifth Avenue, but it packed up and moved to 30 Rockefeller Plaza back in 2015.

Here’s a fun fact: those exterior shots of Duncan’s Toy Chest? Not actually filmed in the Big Apple! They used the Rookery Building in Chicago, Illinois, for that impressive look. You can find it at 209 S LaSalle Street. And those awesome interior scenes? Those were filmed at the Uptown Theater in Chicago. Movie magic, folks!

So, while you can’t stroll into the actual Duncan’s Toy Chest, you can get pretty darn close. Head over to FAO Schwarz. It’s packed with all sorts of toys, games, and cool stuff to play with. It’s the real deal!

Even though it’s not a real brick-and-mortar store, Duncan’s Toy Chest has become a total icon. It’s all about that holiday magic, the excitement of toys, and the sheer joy of being a kid. So, while you can’t visit the store from “Home Alone 2,” its spirit lives on in places like FAO Schwarz and, of course, in our memories. And that’s kind of magical in itself, don’t you think?