I found my new happy place

"I’m so happy!”

That was the first thing I heard from a smiling guest as I arrived at the opening of the new Hamleys flagship store at Bonifacio High Street.

Just seconds later, greeted by circus performers, welcomed warmly by the Hamleys staff, and surrounded by so many toys, including Hamley and Hattie Bear, I found myself feeling exactly the same way. Hamleys is my new happy place.

The second Hamleys branch comes 12 years after the SSI Group brought the iconic British toy store to the Philippines and opened its first branch at Central Square Mall in Bonifacio Global City.

“We believe now is the perfect time because Filipinos are placing greater value on experiences that bring families together. Hamleys has always been about sparking imagination and a sense of wonder, and our new store allows us to deliver that on a much larger scale,” said Anthony T. Huang, CEO and president of SSI Group, Inc.

The new store, spanning 530 square meters, features Hamleys’ trademark red-and-white design. It’s home to over 15,000 toys for kids of all ages, including Hamleys’ own line of plush toys (I love the food-themed ones), pre-school play sets, educational toys, board games, Ralleyz remote-controlled cars, and more.

There are immersive experience zones, including a Ralleyz RC racetrack, a Lego Playlab, a Barbie boutique and salon with different beauty stations, and a London double-decker bus filled with toys.

Build your own stuffed animal

Hamleys is also home to the country’s first Build-A-Bear Workshop—a place where you can do exactly that: build your own stuffed animal. I am a Build-A-Bear fan and couldn’t resist making a new plush friend. There were a lot of designs to choose from—Playful Pup, Red Raptor, Tie-Dye Alligator, Smiley Monkey, Spring Green Frog, Birthday Treat Bear, Pink Axolotl, Summer Waves Sloth, and many others.

I went for a Timeless Teddy, a classic light brown teddy bear with round brown eyes and a big brown nose. A bear builder guided me as I stepped on the foot pedal to fill my bear with stuffing. I made my bear nice and chunky, but if you want a squishier, softer plushie, you have to stuff it less.

It was time for the Heart Ceremony. I picked a red fabric heart for my teddy bear, which I placed inside its body after making a wish. You can choose to add a scent to your Build-A-Bear. My all-time favorite is the cotton candy scent, and I love it so much that I had them double it.

You can also add a recorded message to your Build-A-Bear—a lovely touch if you’re giving it as a gift.

There are so many clothes and accessories you can purchase for your Build-A-Bear buddy: shirts, dresses, overalls, tutus, all sorts of uniforms, shoes, and even the tiniest boxer shorts. I decided to get a pair of glasses for Ham—yes, I named my bear after Hamleys. He looks so smart wearing it.

I also got a plush pizza bag charm from Snuggle Buddies.

I found myself lingering in the aisles far longer than I probably should have, tempted by a lot of other things: the Slime Life slime kits (especially the s’mores set), the burger, taco, sandwich, and croissant Hamleys plushies, the Disney Loungefly backpacks, and the Kuromi and My Melody wallet, new Uno editions, and the Miniverse Make It Mini Hello Kitty and Friends sets.

I’ve always believed that you’re never too old for toys. And that’s part of Hamleys’ appeal. While it’s undoubtedly a wonderland for children, it’s also the kind of place that reminds grown-ups what it feels like to be a kid again.

Best toy shop in the world

Hamleys is the fruition of William Hamley’s dream of opening the best toy shop in the world. He opened his first shop in London in 1760 and now, over 265 years later, Hamleys is bringing joy in 12 countries across the world, including the Philippines.

“The Philippines has always embraced Hamleys with so much love, and this new flagship at BGC reflects that relationship growing stronger. As our second store here, it is a proud moment for us. Manila’s vibrant and dynamic spirit, its energy, and the families that fill it every day make it the perfect home for Hamleys as we continue our mission to spread the magic of play around the world,” said a spokesperson from Hamleys.

Huang said, “We’re excited about the opportunity to elevate the Hamleys experience for our customers. The new flagship store at Bonifacio High Street brings the brand’s iconic world of wonder to life in a bigger and more dynamic way through exclusive hero zones and interactive spaces. It’s a destination where families, children, and the young at heart can explore, play, and create moments of joy that go beyond traditional retail.”

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Hamleys is located on the third floor of the B7 Building at Bonifacio High Street, above JD Sports and Old Navy.