Big Dreams

This store has amazing product although sometimes overpriced. I think if the service matched the product mix it would be 5star review.
Unfortunately each time I have purchased from this store (which is often) the girls in store have seemed complacent, unwilling to engage with customers and actually offer no customer service what so ever!
I basically have to sell myself whilst I’m there…
Don’t get me wrong no none wants an over the top sales person, however as I am from a sales background I do expect a level of service from a store that has these prices. I might as well shop online.

Adopt a kid or put that reproductive system in to overdrive, because you’ll want to get parental when you visit Big Dreams.
Possibly the cutest store in Fitzroy. The walls are covered in clothes, toys and decorations that would keep even the big kids amongst us happy. The window display changes regularly — from watermelon throw rugs, neon bunting and wire baskets perfect for stashing toys to porcelain squirrel lamps, coloured gumboots and raincoats — it is a delight to look at each time I pass, even if I don’t venture inside.
The clothing is, well, expensive. I’ve seen coats and jumpers here with price tags higher than what I comfortably pay for my own «grown up» clothes, but for gifts and special occasions then it would certainly be the place to come for unique and high-​quality items that could be passed down to every child in your family.
The toys are lovely and hard wearing and there’s lots of cute gift and decorating ideas if you want a cheerful gift. I’ve bought a couple of smaller items here as well as a 3 year-​old friendly Herschel backpack. I especially love that the staff will offer to wrap gifts for free in beautiful paper and ribbon.

When I think of venturing into a toy store to buy gifts for the niece and nephew clan, I shudder a little. Thoughts of screaming tantrums to a backing track of Tickle-​Me-​Elmo dolls and The Wiggles songs flood my mind… most likely because I spent my high school years working part time at Toys ‘R’ Us.
Big Dreams is the opposite of that.
A far more calm and tranquil experience, this is a boutique shopping adventure designed for adults. Here you will find a mindful selection of well-​crafted gifts that tick the educational, non-​toxic, environmentally friendly boxes. Particularly if you’re looking for beautiful old-​school wooden toys, you’re bound to find a nice keepsake for the family to treasure at Big Dreams.
Come to think of it, the toys are so lovely and nostalgic that I wonder how many even make it to the kids hands? I suspect a few purchases may need to stay at Aunty Mel’s house. You know, so they have something to do when visiting, right?

Big Dreams is the little sister of Little Dream in Northcote. The Northcote store has been open for a number of years now, whereas Big Dream only opened in 2012. It is a relative newcomer to Smith Street, situated right at the end of Smith and Johnston Streets.
It is an Aladdins Cave of beautiful toys, crafts, clothes and children’s furniture. The toys are definitely not at the cheap end of the market. But if you are looking for a quality, educational toy that can be passed on between generations, and isn’t plastic fantastic that will be broken the following week, then this shop has everything you need from 0 – 10 years of age.
My daughter absolutely loves ducking into this store as we walk past, even though it is part of our daily walk. From the ceiling to the floor, the whole place is dripping in beautiful, colourful items that you makes you want to reach for your wallet.
There are also high quality children’s clothes, particuarly shoes and coats, that would make good gifts. No crass logos or garish patterns to frighten mum and dad!