Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
Arts & Entertainment
Lisa Mahar, KidO
By
Nichelle Newsletter
Published Dec 9, 2004
Modified Mar 7, 2008
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Nichelle Newsletter
Published Dec 9, 2004
Modified Mar 7, 2008
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
The Basics.
Astrological Sign.
Skipping.
Bad habit./Day job.
My worst habit is not eating anything until dinner. I get so involved with work that I forget. Owner of KidO, a design store for children.
Where do you live now?
I’ve lived in the village for 15 years. I love that it has a long
history as an artsy, bohemian neighborhood. It’s not a "trendy"
neighborhood, and this is important to me. To most of my customers
modernism is a philosophy, a way of thinking, not a style. It’s all
about what’s best for kids, not what’s in or out. For us, selling toys is a serious business.
One For You.
What inspired you to open KidO?
My son. For his first birthday, a friend gave him a very modern Swedish wooden car. It made me realize that there were better products out there for kids, but that I was just going to have to look a little harder to find them. Within two weeks I was in Europe buying for the store.
What is the best improvement to New York City in the last year?
The new MOMA building.
What was your favorite toy as a child?
Definitely blocks, in just plain unfinished wood. I never got tired of them. They continue to be interesting because they are so open-ended. Many of the most progressive educational theories for young children have their foundation in block-building. The activity has universal appeal and value.
How many takeout menus would you guess that you have in your apartment?
About 50 more than I wish I had. I would love to find more time to cook and shop for food.
What are three items that you always keep in your kitchen pantry?
Organic oatmeal, brown rice, and little boxes of travel size milk. All for my son, of course.
What's the one thing you miss whenever you leave New York?
The people.
If you could revoke a famous New Yorker's citizenship, who would it be?
Skipping.
Tagged
Astrological Sign
children
design
history
interview
kids
love
The Basics
Nichelle Newsletter
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE arts-entertainment
The hottest way to show you're an authentic New Yorker is… riding a Citi Bike?
Thanks to Dua Lipa, Kim Kardashian, Timothée Chalamet and more, the rideshare program is having a moment.
By
Lindsay Lee Wallace
Published Oct 8, 2026
Is NYC’s hottest attraction the free observation deck at 1 Centre Street?
If you're playing tourist in your own town, this is an in-demand option.
By
James Ramsay
Arts & Entertainment
Is NYC’s hottest attraction the free observation deck at 1 Centre Street?
If you're playing tourist in your own town, this is an in-demand option.
By
James Ramsay
What happens when NYC kids take lessons in rock music? Really good bands.
By
Jayson Greene
Inside a photographer's journey to visit every neighborhood in New York City
By
Sonia Rao
Banned books and Winnie the Pooh: October in NYC libraries
By
Alec Hamilton
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .