RIP Don Kipper of Kips Toyland

Don Kipper of Kips Toyland passed away this week.  His father established the store in 1945, which moved to the Farmer's Market in 1956. As recently as May of this year the store's unique format and business success attracted national attention including CNN! Oldest toy store in Los Angeles fights to survive in face of tariffs | CNN Business

"We love what we do. We’re guided by the same desire to provide the customer service and quality toys and games that has made Kip’s Toyland LA’s oldest toy store."

Ivan Kipper, born in 1916 in Austin, TX, founded the toy store in 1945 according to details on their website.  He graduated from LA's Jefferson High School as Valedictorian.

"It was October 1945. Irvin “Kip” Kipper had just returned from WWII and after being a prisoner of war, he wanted a happier existence. Kip’s Toyland was founded and has remained a favorite destination for generations of local families. Located in the Original Farmers Market, Kip’s has also enjoyed visitors from around the globe."

Additional history of the store is detailed on Wikipedia as well as his obituary. Irvin Kipper passed away in 2016 at which time he had been married to his wife Gertrude for 77 years.

"Kipper spent more than seven months in Stalag Luft III and Stalag VII, later retold in book, television, and film as The Great Escape."  "... His camp was ultimately liberated by troops commanded by General George Patton in August 1945..."

The store moved to the Farmer's Market in 1956. The effects of the 2020 shut down and the surging trend to shop online pushed Kips to highlight the store policies online. But according to their website "Our current inventory and e-commerce option is unavailable at this time, (remember, we’re old school, that’s why you love us). "  LA’s Oldest Toy Store Feels The Heat – Global Toy News

 Back in May Kip spoke to CNN about the increased cost in toys. "But if the classic toys at Kip’s Toyland suddenly become more expensive to acquire, he will have to pay more."

“It’s a hostage situation. If we have to, we have to,” he said.

Vintage Los Angeles posted a previous interview, available on youtube, in honor of DON KIPPER of Kip's Toyland - Vintage Los Angeles | Facebook

Background of Toy Manufacturing's Departure from America

The first products manufactured in China were Christmas decorations and toys. It was at an early point in the transition Harry Wu began secretly recording, which CBS 60-minutes and CBC broadcasted, the manufacturing done in Prison Camps. He was arrested and imprisoned in 1995. Then in October of 1995, while speaking at Soka University in Calabasas, he stressed if Americans refused to buy the toys and Christmas decorations the Chinese people would suffer for a while but they would eventually become free.   Instead, the manufacturing continued into every product we purchase, affecting America's ability to protect its economy.  Currently, according to the U.S. Commerce Department we imported toys made in China worth approximately $13.4 billion.  While CNN suggests it has been "strengthened the last 25 years" it's been actually 30+ years.

"....Chris Byrne, independent toy analyst, told CNN. Bringing that infrastructure to the United States is not impossible but would take a minimum of five years, he said. Even then, prices would rise, due to American labor and regulatory costs...."

 It is ironic a toy store founded by an American who fought to preserve freedom, and was a prison of war, is now fighting to survive as another country with less freedoms for its citizens underpriced the manufacturing against Americans.

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