In the 1980s toy stores were giant warehouses filled with a maze of ten-foot-tall shelves hung with every plastic Hasbro abomination moulded plastic and cardboard could contain. Now, toys stores are apps where a few capacitive taps can make cheap plastic goodies magically (ie the unfeeling wheels of capitalism crushing the souls and flexor tendons of low-wage workers) appear on your doorstep in 48 hours.

But here, in Northampton, we are blessed with a better way to acquire toys for our kids (and selves). André Boulay learned to yo-yo at A2Z when he was just a fresh-eyed Hilltown teen. He became an employee, his wife became an employee, and five years ago they bought A2Z and took over a Northampton institution. Was he afraid he’d mess it up? Yes. But he hasn’t. A2Z only keep getting better.

You can find A2Z at A2ZScience.com and at 57 King Street, behind the giant stegasaurus skeleton.