A 12-year-old Canadian boy gave his parents quite a scare yesterday afternoon when he disappeared from FAO Schwarz. When the unidentified parents realized he was gone, store security checked surveillance videos and found footage of him exiting the store with a stranger at 2:12 p.m. Fearing the worst, the NYPD brass ordered a Level 2 mobilization, and midtown was flooded with cops. (For more on NYPD mobilization levels, check out this fruitless debate in the comments, and this inconclusive message board post.) more ›

Toys R Us has announced its purchase of FAO Schwarz. According to the AP, "Toys R Us will operate FAO Schwarz's flagship store in New York City and a second store at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. FAO Schwarz's Web site and catalog will continue to use the company's name." Toys R Us chairman and CEO Jerry Storch said, "We will work tirelessly to preserve the distinctiveness and integrity of the FAO Schwarz stores and brand as we grow the business and, indeed, take the brand to even greater heights." However, Storch did not details the financial agreement. FAO Schwarz has filed for bankruptcy protection twice and last year announced it would sell toys in Macy's stores. more ›

There's nothing like a member of the media witnessing a rodent infestation at your establishment. Over the weekend, the Daily News saw mice in the FAO Schwarz toy store, "scampering between the eyes of plush monkeys and elephants - and around nearby candy jars." more ›

Don't let the name fool you, The Muggabears aren't creating cute, cuddly pop tunes. (In fact, their songs are peppered with profanities...gasp!) The trio has been garnering attention over the past year for their sound -- something akin to a lo-fi love affair with noise rock. They're not short on comparisons to Sonic Youth and Pavement, so if you like what you hear -- come catch 'em live tonight when they play Galapagos. How did... more ›

The center of the paparazzi universe might be the Waldorf Towers at 100 East 50th Street. That's because Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, and their brood of children are renting a $100,000/month apartment at the hotel. The Post reports that the Jolie-Pitts "began recently living in a newly renovated, roughly 6,000-square-foot apartment" that has "five bedrooms plus a library that they have converted into a sixth, up to six baths and a huge gourmet kitchen." And there are terraces (plural!). more ›

Whoa - Think Secret says that the Apple Store planned for Fifth Avenue and 58th Street may be a 24-hour location. That would be crazy - 24 hour retail establishment across from the Plaza (condos) and down the street from the Sherry-Netherland? Gothamist can imagine people who hate their waits at the SoHo Store and TekServe will make 3AM appointments to make sure they can complain about their iPod's crappy battery life or iBook's weird screen issues. Will this transform this rather staid part of Fifth Avenue which we'd given up to the tourists into more of an innovation destination for the city? Will parents leave their kids at FAO Schwarz while they visit the Apple Store? Whee! more ›

Perhaps it's the effect of stuffing, or just some dastardly American capitalist plan, but the day after Thanksgiving is when everyone thinks they should start Christmas shopping, so people clog up stores and streets snatching up everything they can. Some stores out in the burbs even opened at 4AM! Now the subways can be filled with shopping bags so you can't stand; stores' inventory will be picked over; and people will have that glassy, dead eye, three-mile stare that can only be the result of finding that damn toy for the kid. Speaking of the rugrats, FAO Schwarz was open yesterday to take advantage of tourists and poor, harassed parents. And if you plan on doing any shopping outside this weekend, our only advice is to go early (get in, get out) and keep your receipts. Otherwise, viva online shopping! more ›

Joe Quesada, Marvel Comics Editor in Chief more ›