SPONSORED CONTENT
BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT
SPONSORED CONTENT
THE FLYING SQUIRREL
This Holiday, Celebrate a Little Bit
of Everything from Everywhere
I
f you haven’t been to The Flying Squirrel in Carnegie in the year
it has been open, you’re missing out on one of the most unique
experiences in the South Hills.
Part candy shop, part ice cream shop, part nostalgia and unique
rarity shop, The Flying Squirrel is a one-of-a-kind amalgam of a store.
Owner Melanie Luke said the original concept was to carry a variety
of authentic vintage items: American classics, British reissues, books,
nostalgic early learning, sci-fi, nerdabilia. Oh, and
retro candy and locally made ice cream.
The candy is comprised of items that span
decades. The ice cream is made by the Pittsburgh
Ice Cream Company and Leona’s Ice Cream
Sandwiches. Flavors change weekly and specials
are available seasonally. Of course, pints of The
Flying Squirrel’s ice cream offerings will be available
to-go as well. Gifts such as “Carnegie Cocoa,” which
is loose hot chocolate in an “old-tyme” tin with
peppermint sticks, and other Carnegie-specific
items are definitely going to appeal to
the hometown crowd, but for those who are
looking for something that has no boundaries, The
Flying Squirrel has been busily importing a myriad
of items from across the pond.
One new line it carries includes mid-century-design style plates
and mugs, perfect for kids of all ages who are into space, science and
cowboys. That retro British style also applies to the new notebooks
and journals complete with a variety of paper to make any idea look
good. Comical mugs, ornaments, new socks and scarves will also
make an appearance at The Flying Squirrel during the fall.
If you’re looking for some family fun, The Flying Squirrel carries
reissued board games such as Clue, Sorry, Operation and Risk, all
with their original 1950s-‘60s designs and appeal. It also will be
carrying reissues of the 1979 Mattel handheld precursors to today’s
Nintendo 3DS devices. The games feature a lighted blip or blips that
are configured into classic games such as football,
baseball, soccer or basketball. They come complete
with the squelchy 8-bit sound that kids of a certain
generation will find reassuring. And, if you’re
looking for Lincoln Logs, The Flying Squirrel is the
place to go this holiday season for that and other
wonderful traditional toys.
Other stocking stuffers featured this season
include a line of “The World’s Smallest,” which
recreates some of the iconic devices and novelties
of the 20th century in miniature. “We have a
miniature Polaroid camera that actually spits out
a tiny picture, a Magic 8-Ball that really works, a
miniature Rubik’s Cube, Pound Puppies… you
name it,” Luke said. “They’re really fun, nostalgic,
goofy little gifts that bring people a lot of joy.”
For more information on everything that’s going on at The Flying
Squirrel, go to the website at flyingsquirreltoys.com, follow it on
Facebook and Instagram, or visit at 241 East Main Street, Carnegie,
15106. You can also call at 412.276.2535.
15106
Mt. Lebanon | Winter 2016 | icmags.com 17