Josh Vettter of New York as a Toy Soldier poses for a photo at FAO Schwarz at Nordstrom NorthPark in Dallas, Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026.
Juan Figueroa/The Dallas Morning News
Mila Gorditsa walked into the Nordstrom at NorthPark Center, unimpressed by the rows of designer clothes that dangled over her head. She had another target in mind.
The 2-year-old rushed past the shoes and purses, her blonde ponytail bouncing as she pulled her grandparents and great-grandmother behind her. Scaling two escalators, the foursome was greeted by real-life toy soldier Josh Vetter when they finally reached their goal: the newly opened FAO Schwarz toy store.
“Welcome!” Vetter said brightly, his tall military cap bobbling as he waved. “Come on in!”
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The iconic toy store welcomed dozens of families to their new location in the NorthPark Nordstroms as part of their partnership with the department store. Known for its flagship toy store in New York City, FAO Schwarz is expanding to eight Nordstroms across the U.S. — including in Dallas.
Mila Gorditsa, 2, of Dallas holds a baby doll for sale at FAO Schwarz at Nordstrom NorthPark in Dallas, Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026.
Juan Figueroa/The Dallas Morning News
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Allison Campsey, Mila’s grandmother, said she learned about the opening when visiting the mall last week, and immediately told her daughter she wanted to take Mila. It had been a decade since Campsey last visited the flagship FAO Schwarz store with her daughter, who she said had the time of her life as she took in all of the toys.
“We had to see if it was genetic,” she said. “Does she have the gene — the FAO gene?”
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Melanie Carson, 4, of Plano and Mila Gorditsa, 2, of Dallas look at toys for sale at FAO Schwarz at Nordstrom NorthPark in Dallas, Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026.
Juan Figueroa/The Dallas Morning News
Mila gathered with a handful of other children to take in the toys with wide eyes. Stuffed animals, toy cars, baby dolls, and coloring sets lined the walls, all ready to be played with by the eager customers who stood on their toes to reach them.
Susie Choi and her husband, Purun Cheong, watched as their 3-year-old daughter Nora took in the store and all it had to offer. Choi said she wants her daughter to grow up with a vivid and active imagination — and that investing in toys, rather than screens, is an important step to help ensure that growth.
Purun Cheong, Nora Cheong, 3, and Susie Choi look at Calico Critters for sale at FAO Schwarz in Nordstrom NorthPark in Dallas, Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026.
Juan Figueroa/The Dallas Morning News
“When we grew up, there weren’t that many screens — you just figured out how to play with a toy or imagine all the different ways you could play with it,” she said. “I think learning that is very important.”
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Vetter helped welcome Nora and other children into the store, pointing out the balloon animal and face painting station with his white-gloved hands.
“They shipped me over from New York City in a big box,” Vetter said, jokingly. He’s spending the weekend in Dallas to welcome visitors into the new location, bringing a bit of the New York City experience to Texas.
Tate von Richter, 3, of Dallas rocks out on the Rock-A-Mole Guitar at FAO Schwarz at Nordstrom NorthPark in Dallas, Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026.
Juan Figueroa/The Dallas Morning News
The toy store is also expanding into California, Florida, Washington, New Jersey and Illinois in the coming months, just in time for the holiday season. But Vetter said the toy store is meant for kids to visit all year, to help inspire their imaginations and help them grow.
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“I love seeing the kids find themselves and make their own opinions — what color is their favorite, what toy they like,” he said. “It’s the best part of my job.”