The Troll doll was one of many toys that came out during the height of the Cold War.
For that matter, so did the balsa wood Jet Fire Glider, Barrel of Monkeys, the musical Jack in the Box, and the candy and bubblegum cigarettes.
These items and more can be found right at the Gordon Toy Company & Part Store at 1960 Cherokee Road.
Trying to find this place might not be as easy.
The late Bernice and Larry Gordon owned and operated the business in this old part of Stockton over 50 years ago. In 1996, she sold the business to current owner Jim Hutchings.
Through the years, he’s maintained the same old toys that only the Baby Boomer generation might appreciate.
Take the balsa wood glider plane with the rubber band-powered propeller and landing gear. “This (hobby plane) always appeal to those who grew up years ago wanting one,” said Hutchings.
So does most of his inventory – items from way back are stocked on old metal shelving units – from the old fashioned army men and Bingo cards to many practical joke-type items.
Hutchings had a sale of Troll dolls during the holidays as a stocking stuffing gift idea.
As for getting to his place, Gordon Toy Company is still in its original location which has seen better times – an old central Stockton neighborhood with faded signs along the way indicating that this was once a busy road.
Gordon Toy Company is along the “triangle” where Cherokee and Waterloo roads are dissected by North Filbert Street.
How to get there: From Highway 99, take the Cherokee Road exit and go west and go slightly past North Filbert Street. Gordon Toy `Company is open on most days from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and will be on the left side of the road.
Information: Call 209.948.9309 or click on to Gordon Toy Company on Facebook.
Other out of the way places in Stockton include:
Simoni’s Café
A few years ago, the building of this Stockton classic had burned down.
But from the ashes at this place at 2303 W. Fremont St. came the return of many of the favorites including a steak sandwich worth making the trip.
Simoni’s is nestled in a residential area that borders along Interstate 5 on one side and the turning basin of the Deep Water Channel on the other side.
“This place is smack dab in the middle of a neighborhood – it’s seriously house-house-Simoni’s-house-house-house,” said Ali on Yelp.
Many remember of the Simoni’s fire of years ago, returning only to find that not much has changed from this longstanding leisure restaurant that serves Italian cuisines.
How to get there: From Interstate 5, take the Pershing Avenue exit and go southbound on Pershing to Fremont Street. Make a right along West Fremont Street and travel several blocks to Wilshire Avenue.
Information: Call 209.463.3827.
George’s Chinese Deli
Like Gordon Toy Company, George’s is a cash-only place.
Like the places listed above, George’s is about good and inexpensive.
P.S. Make sure you lock the car if you go to any of these places.
Needless to say, George’s at 909 E. Bianchi Road is located in a shady neighborhood. It’s next door to a laundry mat and many who call this area home frequent the convenient store at the corner.
But when it comes to food, George’s garlic chicken is often second to none. Many also rave about the pork fried rice there and the combination wonton soup big enough to share with two or three people.
Ditto much of the same for the barbecue ribs, foil chicken, and pork chow mien with pan fried noodles.
How to get there: From Highway 4 crosstown freeway, take the El Dorado Street exit and go north for several miles on El Dorado and go past the Calaveras River bridge, Turn right to Bianchi, and go several block east to Greensboro Way.
Information: 209.952.6051.
