Eighty years ago, a toy store opened next to where the Jefferson Cutter house now sits. In the approximately 400-square-foot space, Play Time was born.
Now on the corner of Broadway and Franklin, Play Time is still beloved across generations. Carolyn Levosky has run Play Time for decades, taking over the business after her father’s retirement.
“This is probably the store’s first official interview since 1945!” Levosky jokes. “After World War II, people came home wanting to build a new life, start families, and recover from the trauma of the war…so a lot of companies started, including this one.”
Levosky’s father had always dreamed of opening a toy store, and people wanted the things they had been deprived of during the war.
“From what I remember, my father had craft items lying around, so he combined the two: arts and crafts, and toys,” she recalls. Over time, things progressed, and crafting became well-established, leading to the business flourishing.
Today, Play Time has remained a beloved business and is frequented by all types of people.
“I love the community that you see every day, especially when you meet someone who’s working on the same craft as you. It’s really nice to connect with somebody over something you both love, even though you might be different in every other way, and I think that’s hard to come across in other stores and places,” says Quinn, a young Play Time employee.
Over time, word spread of the store’s unique inventory of crafts. People have traveled across New England to shop the collection of Swarovski crystals, vintage ribbon, top-quality artist paints, and much more. Levosky takes a lot of care in keeping the store well-stocked.
“This is what you would call a destination store,” she explains, “People come specifically to us to fulfill their needs, and we appreciate that, so we want to carry what people come in for. Over time, the demographics change, and we have to keep up with that.”
Here in Arlington, many properties are being turned over to new families, introducing a new generation to our local craft store and its seemingly endless shelves of creative opportunities.
“I really love to see the creativity of the people who come in! People always get so excited when we have the niche thing that they’re looking for, like the little girl who wanted to be a mosquito for Halloween or the young boys who needed makeshift fishing tackle supplies a few weeks ago,” says Charlotte, another employee.
After many decades, Play Time has become more than a store; it has become a community.
“I mean the word ‘community’ seriously,” says Levosky, “People feel that way. They know us; we know them; together, we solve problems. Hopefully, people feel good when they leave because they were able to get what they came for.”
On Saturday, Nov. 15, the store will celebrate 80 years of history and the community that has been built. There will be a store-wide sale and other festivities.
“We are very grateful to have survived all of the things that happened in life, like the pandemic. We want to celebrate because we are so happy to have a wonderful community. I’d love to give a special thanks to those who have shopped with us. You have made my life wonderful,” Levosky says.
The celebration will take place at Play Time on Saturday, Nov. 15, at 283 Broadway in Arlington. The store will be open its usual hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Photos by Eli Choi
This story, published on Nov. 13, 2025, was reported and written by Mila Sandstedt, an Arlington High School intern who works part-time at Play Time.
