Tikibou — Local services in Paris

Paris, November 9, 5 PM: I had been walking for half an hour to my PCR test appointment (I chose to walk because I’m cheap and I hate paying for the bus). On my way to the pharmacy where I’d receive the test for my flight back to Canada, waiting at a red light, I saw the front of a tiny shop saying 3 words very appealing to me (rn I forgot which ones, I’ll look em up later). I crossed the street and entered the shop: cramped, disorganized but not messy, aaaaall sorts of toys, games and decor elements for aaaall ages from the floor to the ceiling, one 50-sth white man tending to a customer (an older white Parisian man in a fancy coat) with gift wrapping. I said “bonsoir!” and I don’t remember hearing anything in return. A younger salesperson came out from the back, not tending to any customer. There was not anymore customer but Fancy Coat and me. I vocally expressed my excitement (“Omg y a trop de choses ! Je sais pas quoi prendre !” transl. “There’s too many things, I dunno what to buy!”) and that too was met with no reaction. I started being acknowledged when I showed interest in a €70 snow globe and put her near the cash register and continued shopping. As a Black person, the fact that I was NOT followed around in such a packed store (Temptation Island - Kleptomaniac edition. Don’t look at me, I just assume! I’m too paranoid to ever steal anything! I’d panic and knock all the shelves if I tried, and die by suffocation under a huge pile of toys! To save what, €12?Nah Im good) Anyway what was I saying? Yes, as a Black person I loved the fact that they were not following me around, not even pretending to be looking for something where I’m at. Not even the casual “May I help you?” I LOVED THAT and I still do! I know you don’t deserve a medal for not acting racist, but THANK YOU! I didn’t feel pressured to leave or buy something I didn’t like just to make you see that I wasn’t there to steal anything and as an unexpected result… TWO HOURS LATER, I was still there with almost €400 worth of gifts near the register! The same woman who was trying to save €2 by not taking the bus. The younger salesperson (a fellow queer, a queer fella) helped the hell out of me. I asked for advice in escape games and he delivered. He took care of the gift wrapping as I was still ignoring the fact that I was 90-min late to my COVID test appointment! He made me write down on postit notes the names of who gets what. When I picked an apple-shaped bicycle klaxon, I said “Is it an apple or a tomato?” He answered, “I believe it’s an apple”. I said, “awesome, my cousin Reine got her bike stolen and just bought a new one and I call her Pomme de Reinette”. Guess what I found out when I got home: he had written “Pomme de Reinette” instead of “Reine” on her gift! That was so considerate I could cry! He had listened! I asked whether they had “fake” skeletons in the back who were actually customers who entered the shop on their way to wherever and never left because there’s too many things to buy. He confirmed in a nod and a mysterious smile (beware oohhh!) FINAL WARNING: If you’re like me and you express your love through gift giving, take a day off before going to that store. An a new line of credit at the bank because everything reminds you of someone you love. I decided to keep saving the bus money and I walked an extra 15 minutes with my hands full of heavy gifts to the pharmacy that said “no more covid tests for today. The nurse has just left.” What had I done? November 11 was a national holiday, what if the lab was closed that day? My flight is on the 12th in the morning!!! I don’t remember what I did, but I’m telling you this because it has everything to do with Tikibou: you don’t need to be a kleptomaniac person to love it there. You need to love giving gifts and reliving childhood memories. That’s what this boutique...

Tikibou c'est avant tout une boutique de passionnés de jouets, c'est important de le préciser car très rare de nos jours. Steven et Thierry sont d'excellents conseils. Que vous ayez une idée précise ou au contraire envie de faire plaisir à des bébés, enfants, ado ou même des adultes, vous trouverez votre bonheur et vous serez guidés et conseillés. Ce n'est pas la course à la quantité de jouets, mais il s'agit bien là de trouver LE jouet qui apportera des étoiles dans les yeux et donnera lieu à des heures de jeux. Tikibou c'est aussi une boutique avec une histoire incroyable, une caverne d'Ali Baba, un endroit ou le temps s'arrête et nous fait rêver petits et grands. Les jouets sont beaux, de qualité et durable, les vitrines sont incroyables et hypnotisent tous les passants. Depuis plusieurs années, c'est mon adresse indispensable pour tous mes achats pour faire plaisir aux petits et grands. D'ailleurs, penser au comité d'entreprise qui peuvent passer commande pour Noël et d'autres occasions. Mon entreprise va passer par Tikibou pour les cadeaux de naissance et les cadeaux de noël. Longue vie à Tikibou, et merci infiniment à Steven et Thierry pour tous vos précieux conseils et de continuer de faire vivre cette belle boutique avec autant de passion et d'engagement. Vos clients vous en sont très reconnaissants...

I was looking for a fife for my daughter. I searched for any toy from the frozen movie. They did not have too many, which is ok. They had about 10 different toys 🧸 The prices were decent and they girl who helped me was very nice. I ended up buying an Anna doll, which costs 13 euros. The place itself is big, they have a large variety of toys. I would maintain it better and clean it a bit...