The History of Uncle Don's - A Coachella Valley Original

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   Since 1955 - Keeping the Past in the Future

     Uncle Don's Hobbies is a direct descendant of the original Uncle Don's Toys and Supplies that was in Palm Springs and operates today in Palm Desert.

     Uncle Don's Toys was a landmark toy store in Palm Springs, CA which operated between 1955 and 1990 and which was well-known for its celebrity clientèle.

     The store was founded by model railroading enthusiast Don Du Bose who began his career as a boy in charge of the toy department of his father's Palm Springs dime store. Du Bose would later have the special distinction of being the caretaker of the extensive Lionel train collection of Frank Sinatra.

     Uncle Don's Toys, as the only full-line toy store in downtown Palm Springs at that time, attracted both seasonal visitors and celebrity visitors. Du Bose counted Sinatra among his regular customers along with, Elvis Presley, Neal Diamond and Red Skelton.

     Increasing competition from major retailers coupled with traditionally slow summer sales meant the closure of the store after the 1990 holiday season in Palm Springs and it moved to it's current location in Palm Desert.

     In 2007, the Palm Springs Historical Society gave away samples of Uncle Don's Toys' distinctive wrapping paper, a red-and-white checkerboard depicting a diminutive cowboy atop a stick horse. Du Bose had retained several rolls of the paper which was not only used to wrap purchases but holiday treats as well; the paper was as memorable as a visit to the store itself. (Click Here to get 5% off)

In September 2010, Uncle Don's Hobbies moved one door over to a newly expanded and custom built location.  Now twice as large, Uncle Don's Hobbies offers more selection and more of the unique products it is famous for.

     Currently, Uncle Don's Hobbies uses both the stick horse logo and the slogan, "Since 1955 - Keeping the Past in the Future" and is run by Kevin Koch.

    Located in Town Center Shopping Center (Next to Trader Joe's)
 44250 Town Center Way  Suite C9 & C10  Palm Desert, CA 92260

760-346-8856

*Next day items only from stock in our California warehouses - In store pickup only.

Store Hours: Monday - Saturday 9:00am to 6:00pm    Open Wed. & Fri. Late til' 8   Sunday 10:00am to 5:00pm