A Toy Store with Heart

“I treat my stores like I am a customer. And I’m a tough customer.” — Lori Badanes

On Long Island’s charming village streets, from Northport to Huntington to Manhasset, there’s a place where childhood imagination still takes center stage. Step inside Einstein’s Attic, and you’ll find shelves filled with thoughtfully chosen toys, classic stuffed animals, and gifts that spark curiosity and creativity.

Walk into Einstein’s Attic on any given afternoon, and you might see a toddler clutching a plush bunny, a grandparent searching for the perfect birthday gift, or a child discovering a toy that sparks pure excitement. What truly makes this beloved toy store special isn’t just what’s on the shelves. It’s the heart behind it.

That heart belongs to Lori Badanes, a lifelong Northport resident whose deep love for children, families, and community has shaped Einstein’s Attic into much more than a toy store. For many Long Island families, it has become a place where childhood memories begin.

Before becoming a business owner, Lori worked in education and later became a stay-at-home mom raising her daughters. Like many parents, she spent her days balancing family life while staying closely connected to her community. Then one day, while out in Northport, she noticed something that immediately caught her attention. The original Einstein’s Attic toy store, serving families since 1997, was for sale. For Lori, the feeling was instant. She simply knew it was right for her.

In 2014, she purchased the beloved toy store and began shaping it into her own vision. Drawing on her background in education and her understanding of how children learn, Lori created a store filled with toys that inspire imagination, creativity, and hands-on learning.

What began as a single store in Northport soon expanded.

When the well-known Little Switzerland toy store in Huntington Village became available, Lori saw another opportunity to bring her philosophy of play and learning to a new community. She purchased the business and reopened the location as Einstein’s Attic in 2025, continuing the tradition of a neighborhood toy store while giving it her signature touch.

Soon after, another opportunity appeared.

A former travel agency storefront in Manhasset became available, but the space required a complete renovation. Lori transformed it from the ground up into the bright, welcoming environment that defines Einstein’s Attic, opening the Manhasset location in 2025.

Today, Einstein’s Attic serves families at three Long Island locations:

• Northport – 79 Main Street (Einstein’s Attic since 2014)
• Huntington – 267 Main Street (opened as Einstein’s Attic in 2025)
• Manhasset – 1453 Northern Boulevard (opened in 2025 after full renovation)

Family is at the center of everything Lori does. Her husband and daughters are involved in the business, and the staff and managers are treated like extended family. That warmth is something customers feel the moment they walk through the door. Many families who shop at Einstein’s Attic have been visiting for years. Lori knows many of them by name and loves watching their children grow.

Her philosophy for running the store is simple. “I treat my stores like I am a customer,” Lori says. “And I’m a tough customer.”

That mindset shows in every detail, from the thoughtfully selected toys to the beautifully wrapped gifts and welcoming experience customers receive.

Although the business has grown, Lori remains deeply connected to Northport, where she grew up and still lives today, because of her close ties to family and community. That same sense of connection extends to every Einstein’s Attic location.

Lori regularly supports schools, hosts toy drives, and partners with charitable organizations such as The Chloe Belle Foundation. She also organizes Kidpreneur pop-ups, giving young entrepreneurs the opportunity to sell their creations in the store. They keep 100 percent of their profits. For Lori, being part of the community is just as important as running a successful business.

Every day, Lori is reminded of why she took that leap of faith years ago. When the doors open and children rush in to explore the shelves, she sees exactly what she hoped for when she first purchased the store. The wonder, imagination, and excitement in the eyes of the children and adults never grow old with her.

From welcoming new babies to helping grandparents choose the perfect birthday gift, Einstein’s Attic has become a place where families gather, and childhood joy is celebrated.

For the thousands of children and families who walk through her doors each year, Lori Badanes has created something priceless.  It’s a place where childhood is celebrated, families are cherished, and community feels like home.