Aunt Emily's Doll Hospital
Riverdale Park · Maryland · 50 years
A doll hospital in Riverdale Park run by Emily Fanning, who has been restoring antique and modern dolls since the 1960s and has had a shop in the town centre since 1992. It is open by appointment only, and the shop sells dolls and dolls' houses alongside the repair work.
Getting hold of them
- Their own site
- You can walk in at Riverdale Park
They work from their own form, so start there.
If it gets lost
Not stated
This is a blank on their page, not an answer from them. We have never asked anybody in this trade the question. Of the 185 businesses we have read, 4 have written anything down about losing an item: 2 say it is insured, 2 say the risk is yours. The other 181 are silent, and silence is not a policy either way.
If you would rather not have to phrase it
“Before I send it, can I ask what happens if it gets lost or damaged while it’s with you? I’m not trying to catch you out, it just can’t be replaced. Whatever the answer is, could you put it in an email so I’ve got it in writing?”
“No, we don’t cover it” is a fine answer to get. It tells you to insure the mail yourself for the full amount, both ways.
If it is lost or damaged
Their website does not say what happens if your item is lost or damaged while they have it.
Ask before you post anything you could not replace. Only four of the businesses we hold publish an answer to this.
What they take on
- Full restoration and rebuilds
- Mending and seams
What they won’t do
The part every other directory leaves out. None of this is a criticism. It is how you avoid three wasted weeks.
- Won't accept anything by mail until they give you a date to send it
- Doesn't say whether they take work by mail
Getting it there
- Doesn't say whether they take work by mail
- You can bring it in
Money
- Fixed menu of prices, so you know before you send it
Anything else they say
- Teaches children to make early 1800s bed post dolls through a doll club.
- Makes her own Star Child dolls and hand-carves wooden Hitty dolls.