Gale Hammond’s $12 Gamble That Grew Generations of Smiles
Hammond Toys: The $12 Dream That Became a Utah Tradition
The Gale Hammond Story
In 1955, Gale Hammond had just $16 in his pocket—and a dream. Partnering with a neighbor who also had $16, the two pooled their funds for a total of $32 and hoped to start a small business selling educational toys. But when Gale applied for a business license, he hit a roadblock: the fee was $75—more than double what they had.
Disheartened, he left city offices thinking the dream was over. But the next day, the business license director called him back and said something remarkable: they wanted him to succeed more than they wanted the fee. Gale was granted his first license for just $20. With the remaining $12, he bought a modest selection of educational toys—and Hammond Toys & Hobbies was born.
From the very beginning, Gale and his wife Georgia poured their hearts into the business. Operating out of their basement, Gale began calling parents of children with upcoming birthdays. He got their names from newspaper announcements and kept meticulous records—eventually building a list of over 15,000 birthdays. He would personally recommend age-appropriate educational toys, and often, parents would come into the store to buy just what he suggested.
In 1957, they opened their first storefront on State Street in Salt Lake City. The concept quickly proved successful. By 1959, a second store opened in Bountiful. By the mid-1970s, Hammond Toys had expanded to locations in Valley Fair Mall, Fashion Place Mall, University Mall, the DCI Center, the Five Points Mall in Bountiful, and two stores in Cottonwood Mall.
Electric trains held a special place in Gale Hammond’s heart. “All five of my children have train sets, and they still play with them, even now that they're grown,” he once said. “Trains are toys you never grow out of.” He especially loved the large LGB trains for their durability and fun—often recommending them as the perfect educational toy for children and their dads.
Gale had an eye for trends but was never afraid to admit when he got one wrong. “I didn’t buy Barbie dolls the first year they came out—I thought they were too sexy for Utah,” he laughed. “But the next year, I repented and bought them—and they flew off the shelves.”
Hobbies were always an important part of Hammond’s product line, and Gale Hammond’s knack for identifying emerging trends, from pounding boards to Kitty in a Keg, kept the stores relevant across generations. Even as the toy market evolved, his core belief never changed: toys should bring joy and learning.
More than just a retailer, Gale Hammond was a builder of memories—offering not only toys but childhood magic. From a basement with $12 in toys to a multi-store empire, his story is one of perseverance, personal service, and a passion for play.
Gale & Georgia Hammond
