American Girls

Oh my, oh my. Is there any toy company more clever than American Girl? Is there any retail store more likely to part a fool, I mean a parent, and his or her money? I could go on and on about the ingenious pricing strategies which allow an intelligent adult to spend more on an outfit for a doll than he or she would spent on their own clothes. Or how it is possible to sell a $250 doll bed. Or justify $395 for a doll's camper. Or has the nerve to sell stuffed raccoon in a garbage can as part of its "wildlife" collection. Dastardly.

Mimi loves the American Girl doll store. Her husband, the ever-patient Don Pike, does not. Sadly for him, about twice a year an AG outing is scheduled for Mimi, Edie and Gemma. During their March visit, luncheon was in order. Note the special place settings and seats for the dolls. And please don't overlook the fact that Gemma and Edie took care to dress like their dolls, or vice versa?! Reservations are strongly recommended and the dining room is often fully booked on weekends. This isn't McDonald's fare - salmon is on the menu. No, not plastic salmon, real salmon!


More astonishing is the "beauty salon" for the dolls. You will see that Edie and Gemma's dolls are getting their hair professionally styled? That runs about $20 per doll. I kid you not. For the record, I spend less than $20 on the girls real haircuts.