In 1921, the Christmas Toy Shop was begun by two ladies, Marion Speakman and Mrs. Anderson of Anderson Lumber.  Martha Starkey and Edie Gastner were involved as county health workers who recognized the need for Christmas toys for underprivileged children in Saint Petersburg. They started collecting books and toys from their friends and took them to the fire station on 2nd Avenue to be given to children on Christmas Eve. 

The present Christmas Toy Shop Project, Incorporated - organized in 1951 at the request of the Community Welfare Council - coordinates the efforts of clubs, agencies, and individuals in toy giving. In 1959, the City of Saint Petersburg chartered the Toy Shop. In the 1960's, the Christmas Toy Shop moved to an old fire station on 16th Street South. This building was renovated with help from the Junior League and other businesses who also provided financial support. Also in the 1960's a group of ladies called the Christmas Belle's, became benefactors for the Toy Shop, by organizing a coffee where they invited all their friends and donated toys and money which continues to this day. 

By 1989, the Toy Shop had outgrown the fire station so they acquired a new building, once a Winn Dixie, at 550 16th Street North, christening it "The North Pole". By the late 1990's, so much time was taken in moving toys for distribution, it was decided to enlarge "The North Pole" to save time, money, and energy, so that all work and distribution would be under one roof. With this addition, the Christmas Toy Shop now has 20,800 square feet of work and storage space including a bicycle shop and carpentry shop.