Oct. 11, 2019

Jon Kollman won’t be surprised if hundreds of shoppers are waiting when the new Sioux Falls Fleet Farm opens its Toyland department Saturday.

When doors open at 6 a.m., customers will discover long, tall aisles packed with toys for all ages.

“It’s always the opening for the holiday season,” the general manager said. “I like it because it gets families in, and you can see kids picking things out.”

While Fleet Farm always carries toys, inventory varies seasonally and really ramps up for the holiday season, he said.

“We bring in about 2,600 SKUs just for toys,” Kollman said. “We’re more focused on the hot buys of the year right now.”

Some – such as toys connected to the new movie “Frozen 2” – are expected to be so popular they won’t appear on Fleet Farm shelves until right before Saturday morning to ensure early shoppers have a selection.

“There’s going to be a line,” Kollman predicted. “We’re giving away collector edition Melissa & Doug puzzles. We always give away a collectible item (at Toyland opening).”

The first 150 shoppers will receive the 32-piece Farm Friends floor puzzle.

In keeping with the Frozen theme, princess characters will appear in the store from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.

Other popular holiday toys include Hatchimal and LOL toys, Legos and farm toys, Kollman said.

Toyland is a Fleet Farm tradition at least 60 years old, Kollman said. All-day deals on sought-after toys will continue through Monday.

There also will be a Toys for Tots collection bin at the front of the store to help kids in need.

Fleet Farm is closed on Thanksgiving but participates in retail’s Black Friday event.

“There will be an ad for that, and it’s a pretty big deal,” Kollman said.