Folk Toy was a well-known Austin toy store at 9th and Rio Grande for many years.  It was not only a toy store, but a counterculture landmark in old West Austin and a hotbed of political activism and alternative media activity (the first incarnation of ACTV was housed in their garage!).  In spite of extensive paving and some serious chromophobia, much of it is still intact.

Besides its striking entry arch with its giant quartz crystal keystone and mirror-clad unicorn logo, it had a pond with bridge, a porch with a completely mirrored ceiling running the length of what had been an old 2-story residence, all native plants (before they were de rigueur), a multicolor brick parking lot with glazed brick insets, and the name Folk Toy in decorative cut-out stencil letters in the upstairs balcony railing.

This project was featured in both Austin Magazine and the Austin American Statesman.  Another interesting aside is that the house painter for the project, which was done up in yellow, red, purple, and green, was none other than Max Nofzinger, long before he became a city council member.

​