A ring for my Betty Jo Bialaski

July 12, 2006 7:39 AM

Where to buy a "two bit ring from a cracker jack box" in Chicago?

For reasons you can probably guess, I need to buy a cracker jack type toy ring by Saturday. Because of my deadline, the options on eBay won't work. Any pointers to toy stores in Chicago that might be able to help me? Bonus points if they are in or near the Loop.

posted by Xalf to Shopping (13 answers total)

look for vending machines in grocery store entrances. they usually have one with cheap rings in it.
posted by cosmicbandito at 7:42 AM on July 12, 2006

Best answer: ANY party store has bazillions of these. They're usually about 5 cents each.
posted by iconomy at 7:47 AM on July 12, 2006

Best answer: Not in the Loop, but Uncle Fun surely has what you're looking for.
posted by ruby.aftermath at 7:57 AM on July 12, 2006

Response by poster: Well that was easy! Looks like my closest party store is Doolins and Uncle Fun can be my backup. I'll take other suggestions for party stores if you've got them. Thanks to all.
posted by Xalf at 8:04 AM on July 12, 2006

Doolins is good. I've gotten tons of supplies from there before. But, before you run out of your way to get over there, stop at a Walgreens or a Jewel - sometimes, they have a party favors section, and those little rings are popular favors.
posted by MeetMegan at 8:25 AM on July 12, 2006

Any grocery store has those little quarter machines with similar quality rings. Unless, of course, you are looking for bulk.
posted by Chickenjack at 8:34 AM on July 12, 2006

From the way he quoted it, it sounds like a scavenger hunt where he's looking for that specific exact kind of ring, rather than any cheapo party favor thing.
posted by Malor at 8:38 AM on July 12, 2006

Check they toy section of a dollar store or a discount store for a play jewelry set -- you'll probably get some plastic beads and a tiara as well for under $3 or so.
posted by mochapickle at 8:38 AM on July 12, 2006

Response by poster: Malor - the quote is from Firesign Theatre's Nick Danger when, in a flashback, he proposes to Betty Jo Bialaski (who everyone knew as Nancy). Anyway, a cheapo party favor thing is, I believe, what would come in a box of Cracker Jacks and will do quite nicely.
posted by Xalf at 9:11 AM on July 12, 2006

And FWIW, Cracker Jack doesn't give rings as prizes anymore - it's mostly stickers and tattoos. All flat, rectangular paper things.
posted by MeetMegan at 9:25 AM on July 12, 2006

I gave a girl I dated for a very long time a cheapo ring out of a bubble machine once toward the begining of our relationship. She wore it for years and, I would imagine, still has it somewhere tucked away. We had to put clear nail polish on the inside of it because it turned her finger a horrible shade of green. Funny how a whim turned into an heirloom.

If something like that is your intention Xalf, then I wish you luck! Heck, if it is a scavanger hunt, good luck too!
posted by Chickenjack at 12:13 PM on July 12, 2006

"Why, that's nothing but a two-bit ring from a Crackerback jox!"

If we're aiming for strict accuracy here, of course.
posted by Faint of Butt at 1:30 PM on July 12, 2006

Response by poster: Just for posterity's sake: I found the ring I wanted at a dollar store called Dollar Daze at Jackson and State.
posted by Xalf at 1:02 PM on July 14, 2006