It’s a blast from the past all year long at 239 Play, also known as Dan's Parents' House.

From Teddy Ruxpin to Powerpuff Girls, the Smurfs and even classic glassware from McDonald's, there are plenty of nostalgic sights to see at the vintage toy shop on City Island in the Bronx.

"People come in and say, 'Oh this is a kids' store,' and I'm like, 'It's a kids' store for all ages,'" said Reina Mia Brill, who co-owns the shop along with husband Dan Treiber.


What You Need To Know

  • 239 Play is a vintage toy shop on City Island in the Bronx

  • It was founded as Dan's Parents' House, where Dan Treiber and Reina Mia Brill would sell items found in Treiber's childhood home on City Island at the Brooklyn Flea

  • The couple opened up a brick-and-mortar headquarters for the business six years ago in 19th Century Building at 239 City Island Ave.

  • The store features toys, records and other items dating back decades

It all started in 2009 when record label owner Treiber and artist Brill were buying Treiber’s childhood home on City Island, but didn't quite have the money to do it. They decided to sell items stored in the attic of the house at the Brooklyn Flea.

“They said, ‘What's the name of your business?’ And we're like, ‘Dan's Parents' House,’ and we said, ‘Ok, let's be Dan's Parents' House,’” said Brill.

Six years ago, the couple bought a building at 239 City Island Ave. from the 1860s, just three blocks from their home where they are raising twins.

It's a brick-and-mortar outpost for the business appropriately called 239 Play. They are now devoting all of their energy to the shop, ending a successful 13-year run at the Brooklyn Flea in October.

"Now instead of coming to visit us as part of a giant spectacle, they come here and they are learning about our community and our town and our people and that's really important to me long term," said Treiber, who hopes more mom-and-pop businesses will join them on City Island, a waterfront neighborhood known for its variety of seafood establishments.

Of course, the items at 239 Play now go way beyond the ones found in Treiber's attic. They buy collections of items from people all the time. There are action figures, bikes, patches, pins and ponies. It's all about fun and bringing people together.

"Commerce goes on, but it's always been a community space for us," said Treiber, who added that if they can provide happiness to people, amen to that!