Toys of all ages,

for all ages

The Vision

The Toys Of Our Lives is a vintage toys and modern collectibles store located in the heart of Verona, a vibrant suburb of Madison, Wisconsin. The toy store features a variety of collectibles from vintage G.I. Joe vehicles and Kenner Star Wars figures to the newest exclusive Funko! Pops and LEGO sets, all displayed in a thoughtfully designed, easy-to-find layout. Inspired by many years of toy hunting and collecting, store owner Paul Ivkovich set out to create the ideal vintage toy shop: one with toys galore and nostalgia around every corner! The Toys Of Our Lives has a section for each decade, 70s-00s, with toys that will have any kid from the era smiling and saying, “Hey, I remember having that!” Walking through the store is a trip down memory lane, with the opportunity to take an old friend off the shelf and back home again!

The Toys Of Our Lives has a constantly changing stock, with new toys being brought in every day! After opening just in time for Verona’s Hometown Trick-or-Treat event on October 31st of 2022, the store has continued to grow and thrive, supported by the welcoming residents of Verona. During 2023, the business was featured in Madison Magazine’s Best of Madison Throwback Edition, as well as The Cap Times! In early 2024, The Toys of Our Lives launched several new additions including an e-store, with online global access to the same toys that line the brick-and-mortar store’s shelves, and a blog with weekly posts that explore the world of toy-collecting. The Toys Of Our Lives looks forward to expanding further with other exciting additions.

Meet The Owner

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Meet Paul, the owner and creator of The Toys Of Our Lives! A seasoned toy connoisseur, Paul has been carefully building his stock of figures and collectibles since he was a child.

“My Dad had always impressed upon me that someday they might be valuable, and that I should take the utmost care of them. I don't know how he had that foresight, but he was right. So, I did take care of my toys, and while in college I purchased a booth at my first toy show, and sold a portion of my toys at that show for several thousand dollars, and was so elated to have made that money as a college student, that I realized I could continue to do that for the rest of my life. Just buying and selling toys, from that point forward became a joyful hobby for me, and a way to help pay the bills for my family. I love finding toys, and the hunt for Rare and Valuable pieces is something I enjoy more than anything else.”

After selling toys online and at conventions for years, in late 2022 Paul took the leap and opened his own store: a devoted place for toys and collectibles, modern and vintage. With the very same love he has put into taking care of his toys for decades, he has created a store dedicated to celebrating the uniquely nostalgic role that toys play in each of our lives.

“I want people to walk into my store and find that section, whether it is the Toys of the 1970s, 1980s, or 1990s that speaks to them and instantly transports them back to their childhood. I want them to be overwhelmed with nostalgia by the Commercials for Toys, Cereal and other stuff playing on the TVs in those sections, and remember what it was like to be a kid again as they relive their fondest memories of playing with the toys of their youth. I have already seen many visitors and customers have these experiences in the store, and it truly warms my heart when they share those thoughts with me."

Meet The Team

Maddie Ivkovich

Public Relations & Marketing Director

Maddie manages the Toys of Our Lives' marketing efforts and social media presence, from in-store posters and decor to online graphics, e-mail newsletters, text campaigns, and the store's social media accounts. Before the store opened, she worked alongside her dad to help prepare the space for opening day and launched the store's social media pages to share updates and build excitement within the local toy-collecting community. When he invited her to join the team, she was excited for the opportunity to combine her creative interests with her lifelong appreciation for toys and film.

Growing up, Maddie was inspired by her dad's passion for movies and the artistry of toys. She developed a similar love for film and is working toward building a career as a filmmaker. She began independently producing short films during high school with a team of her friends and her brothers; over the years since those first projects, she has continued creating films, learning from each production and applying those experiences to increasingly ambitious projects.

Outside of work, Maddie enjoys indoor rock climbing, playing the cello, and tackling a variety of DIY projects. She is also a fan of classic Western films and appreciates the storytelling, musical scores, and larger-than-life characters that define the genre.

Maddie is proud to be part of The Toys of Our Lives team and enjoys helping the store grow while connecting with fellow collectors and fans. She is constantly inspired by the enthusiasm customers bring to the hobby and by the creativity and artistry behind toy design.

Stephanie Norton

Sales Associate

As a member of The Toys of Our Lives team, Stephanie enjoys helping create a welcoming and enjoyable experience for customers. She can often be found greeting visitors, assisting collectors, helping organize store spaces, and collaborating with the team on creative ideas for the shop.

Growing up, Stephanie's favorite toys included Barbie dolls, Spider-Man action figures, and anything mermaid-related. She spent a large part of her youth playing Barbies with her best friend who lived next-door. At the age of 11, she developed a love for comic books after reading the first issue of Ultimate Spider-Man, which sparked an interest that continues to this day.

Before joining The Toys of Our Lives, Stephanie worked in graphic arts-related fields, developing creative skills and experience in digital design. While she enjoyed the artistic aspects of that work, she ultimately realized that she thrived more when surrounded by the joy that toys bring to both her and the people who share that interest. Since 2017, she has worked in comic book and toy stores, helping fellow collectors discover new favorites while reconnecting with old ones.

Outside of work, she and her husband share many of the same interests and enjoy collecting LEGO sets together. At home, they are kept company by their black cats, each having been named after a character in geek culture. Known for her signature pink and mermaid-themed outfits, she proudly embraces her love of all things whimsical while also enjoying a spooky and Halloween-esque aesthetic. She works part-time so she can dedicate more time to her passions, including swimming (hence the mermaid obsession) as well as arts and crafts. She is also a fan of science fiction and has a particular appreciation for movies and music from the 1980s, which remain her favorites to this day. She is proud to be part of The Toys of Our Lives team and looks forward to helping collectors and fans find the items that bring them joy and nostalgia.