SOME SHOPPERS THINK SMALL; FANS SKIP BIG MALLS AND GET THEIR BEANIE BABIES JUST THE SAME.

Byline: Gregory J. Wilcox Daily News Staff Writer

As the late-model white car made a touch-and-go pass at Ventura Toys, the driver lowered the passenger window and, with an anxious look on her face, popped what's likely to be an oft-repeated question this holiday season:

``Did you get the new Beanie Babies in yet?'' she asked store owner Ebrahim Victory.

She basically got the same answer given to other customers on Friday who dropped by or called Victory's small store at 14545 Ventura Blvd. in Sherman Oaks. It is given in a code best understood by those swept up in the plush toy craze.

``No. I have the new ones but the new-new ones will be in in about two weeks,'' he said.

In a flash she was gone, but Victory was already doing a modest albeit steady business shortly after opening his doors at 10 a.m. There was plenty of parking on the street and his shelves were amply stocked with Beanie Babies priced at $5.99.

Best of all, customers weren't waiting in long lines or fighting for elbow room to check out the merchandise. Similar scenes were playing out across the region: While shoppers at malls fought for parking spaces and service, small mom-and-pop shops were quiet or only slightly busier than usual.

It all added up to an easy shopping trip for Sherman Oaks resident Lisa Gregorian, whose 5-year-old son, Rouben, was picking out his birthday presents at Ventura Toys. They had agreed he could get three Beanie Babies. They left with four and an American Western Cowboy Outfit.

``This is the greatest toy store. This is where we always come,'' said Gregorian, who admits to having a mall aversion this time of year.

``The only mall I'll go to is Fashion Square. I won't go near the Glendale Galleria because the parking is just a nightmare,'' she said.

Encino resident ``Grandma'' Peg Barbey also stocked up on some Beanie Babies for her grandchildren Friday. She was thrilled with Victory's selection and his prices.

``I got three (Beanie Babies) but I'll be back getting more later. I just love them and you can't get them at the larger stores,'' Barbey said.

She also has a tip on what might be that must-have gift for youngsters.

``The new trend is yo-yos,'' she said with the conviction of someone who has earned the ``grandma'' designation, not just inherited it. ``They are fighting over yo-yos and parents and grandparents will love it. They don't do any damage and you can't hurt each other but kids can be competitive because they can do tricks with them.''

Store owner Victory, who has been in business 19 years, concurred and has plenty of yo-yos for sale.

He needs any edge he can get to compete with the big chains. Business these days is just ``so-so,'' he says, but he's optimistic it'll pick up in the last month of the year.

``Any time you hear the word toys you think of Toys `R' Us. But after 19 years some customers know me and come here. That is good,'' he said.

CAPTION(S):

PHOTO Ebrahim Victory stocks Beanie Babies at his shop in Sherman Oa ks. He says business has been ``so-so'' despite the rush of gift buying.

Hans Gutknecht/Daily News