New Toy Law May Close Archie McPhees
I remember my first trip to Archie McPhee in Ballard, near Seattle. Right as I walked through the door I was filled with nostalgia, even if most of the objects were from a time not of my own. I described it as a "dollar store on crack" and today it remains the same. There's no better place to find random medical equipment (bedpans!), flight suits (Chinese flight suits, even!), rubber chickens and religious-themed lollipops.
The Seattlest has received an email from Archie McPhees stating that if a certain new toy law is passed in Washington State, they will have to close. The law will increase testing regulations, requiring toys sold in Washington State to reduce their lead content. From the article:
The new testing requirements would cost Archie McPhee's, which stocks over 10,000 different types of toys and knick-knacks, an estimated $5,000,000 a year. The cost of the tests alone would force McPhee's out of business. And it's not just small, local, beloved businesses that are worried about the new law. America's two largest toy companies, Hasbro and Mattel, met earlier this week with Governor Gregoire to try to halt the measure becoming law.
There seems to be some debate in the comments section of the article, however, as the law may allow small businesses caveats. So, should Archie's be worried at all?
