Entry No. 13 — the Spokane file — filed under: records
Boo Radley's
Open in downtown Spokane since 1993 and named for the To Kill a Mockingbird character, Boo Radley's is a gleefully quirky toy-and-gift shop whose self-deprecating motto is "making kids cry since 1993." Shelves brim with funny socks, fidget toys, blind-box collectibles, weird candy, snarky cards and oddball novelties — campy, joyful stuff with no real category. A perennial Inlander "Best Gifts" winner, it sits steps from neighboring oddities shop Petunia & Loomis, anchoring a genuinely strange little stretch of Howard Street.
The story
In 1993, Kris and Andy Dinnison set up shop on Howard Street, named the place after Harper Lee’s reclusive neighborhood mystery, and adopted the tongue-in-cheek motto "making kids cry since 1993." For nearly three decades, they ran Spokane's undisputed capital of joyful weirdness before passing the torch to a longtime employee in 2022 to keep the tradition intact.
What makes the store work isn't just novelty for novelty's sake; it's the sheer density of campy, unclassifiable stuff stacked to the ceiling. Between the shelves of snarky greeting cards, pop-culture t-shirts, blind-box mini-figures, absurd socks, and candy you didn't realize anyone still manufactured, it acts as a direct counterweight to generic mall retail.
What it's like
Expect packed shelves, narrow floor space, and instant sensory overload. You will inevitably spend twenty minutes laughing at cards you can't send to your boss or debating whether you need a bizarre piece of vinyl nostalgia. It leans heavily into comedy, kitsch, and pop culture rather than dark oddities—if you want wet specimens and taxidermy, you just have to walk two doors down.
The move: Hunt the cluttered shelves for the most absurd gag gift you can find and surprise-swap them at the register.
📍 Before you go This leans novelty/quirky-gift rather than taxidermy-and-specimens oddities; pair it with the adjacent Petunia & Loomis for the full weird Howard Street crawl.
- 📍 Spokane
- 💸 $$
- ⚡ Up for anything
- 🌗 Indoors
Where: 228 N Howard St, Spokane, WA 99201
Hours: Added 2026-06-24 — confirm current hours before you go.
Pair it with
- Petunia & Loomis — It sits right next door on Howard Street, giving you an immediate transition from lighthearted kitsch to dark taxidermy and specimens.
- Durkin's Liquor Bar — A short walk away downtown, perfect for grabbing a classic burger or slipping into their subterranean basement bar after shopping.
- The Childhood Express (Giant Red Wagon) — Head two blocks north into Riverfront Park to match Boo Radley's toy nostalgia with a massive 27-foot steel wagon.
Good to know
Where is Boo Radley's located?
It sits in downtown Spokane at 228 N Howard St, anchored on the same block as neighboring oddities shop Petunia & Loomis.
Is Boo Radley's kid-friendly?
Yes, kids love the toys, blind boxes, and candy, though parents should be aware that some greeting cards and socks feature adult humor and profanity.
What kind of items do they sell?
The inventory spans novelties, funny socks, blind-box collectibles, oddball candy, snarky cards, and pop-culture t-shirts.
Is the store still locally owned?
Yes, after almost 30 years under its original founders, the shop was sold in 2022 to a longtime store employee.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: Official site · gonzagabulletin.com · krem.com · Yelp · spokesman.com
last checked: 2026-06-24