Ty-Riffic Store in Chicago

The following article & pictures have been re-printed with the
permission of Maddy's Treasure Chest at www.maddys-treasure.com.
Article & photographs are copyright of Maddy's Treasure Chest.

This page is for every Beanie Baby collector who doesn't have an opportunity to fly through Chicago's O'Hare airport! Located in the heart of the Chicago O'Hare Airport, by the start of Concourse L, just outside of security, is the Ty-rrific Store owned and operated by W. H. Smith that sells exclusively Ty products. If you get the chance, you should make every effort to get to the Ty-rrific store in person. Be sure to check out the cat plush toys in the display case by the cash register. Don't forget to buy some Beanie Babies or plush toys!

If you can't make it to Chicago, there is also a Ty-rrific store at the Pittsburgh airport that has prototypes of Magic, Bessie and Fleece, among others. The store is across from the McDonalds restaurant (stay on the people mover, walk to and ride the train, McDonald's is a short walk after you get off of the train).

Note about the following pictures: First, please be aware that Ty, Inc. owns the rights to these toys. This specifically includes the designs, in addition to the names. Using these photos to create toys similar in design is against the law, unless you obtain permission from Ty.

Second, please be aware that you do not own the rights to these photos. You do not have the right to download the photos and use them commercially in any way, shape or form. Ty's rights allow them to control which of their prototypes are publicly displayed, and which are not. Every photo on this page (and linked to this page) was taken from a public walkway (which is outside of the airport security areas). Every toy pictured was in plain view from this public walkway. You will notice in the pictures that some of the display cases are covered and other display cases are left open for public viewing. No attempt was made to photograph any item that was covered or concealed in any way.

Concourse K, O'Hare International Airport - December 1998

You only see this sight when the store is closed!

Leave extra room in your suitcase before entering the store!

When the maintenance workers and airport firemen are in line
you can be assured that the "hottest" Beanie Babies have arrived! 
They were waiting in line to get ALL of the new releases.

Bear Prototypes (see closeups below)

Coral & Goldie Prototypes (see closeups below)

From this point on, the captions below each photo exactly reproduce the text on the display cards:

Prototype of "Baby Clover"
Country Collection
Produced in 1993
Retired in 1994

Prototype of "Peter"
Country Collection
This version was never produced.

Prototype for Pillow Pal.
This Size was never produced.

[Note the large size of the prototype - that's a regular Pillow Pal on its knee!]

Prototype of Cinnamon
Introduced 1996
Retired 1998

Clifford
Introduced 1993
First set of
Attic Treasures

Henry
Introduced 1993
First set of
Attic Treasures

Tyler
Introduced 1993
First set of
Attic Treasures

Wooly
Introduced 1993
100% wool
First set of Attic Treasures

[Note: Wooly was very small -- only a few inches tall!]

Prototype of "Rags"
Bears Collection
This version was never produced.

Prototype of "Josh"
Wildlife Collection
Produced in 1994
Retired in 1997

Beanie Baby Prototype
This version was never produced.
Eventually, evolved into the
Beanie Baby known as "Britannia".

Beanie Baby Prototype
This version was never produced.
Eventually, evolved into the
Beanie Baby known as "Coral".

Beanie Baby Prototype
This version was never produced.
Eventually, evolved into the
Beanie Baby known as "Erin".

Beanie Baby Prototype
This version was never produced.
Eventually, evolved into the
Beanie Baby known as "Goldie".

Beanie Baby Prototype
These versions were never produced.
Eventually, evolved into the
Beanie Baby known as "Roary".

Other Photos of the Store:

     
        Cats Section                         Dogs Section and Bears Section

Left half of the store

Pillow Pals Section

   
Attic Section                     Wildlife Plush Section