SIDNEY — Walk into the shop at 822 E. Court St. and a riot of color meets the eye.
That’s where Jessica and Brooks Bunnell, of Sidney, will open the Retro Toy Box on Oct. 1. The store has bright yellow walls hung with posters of Batman, Thundercats and Star Wars. A pretty pink street sign proclaims one corner as “Princess Way.” Super Mario decals dance across another area. Iflatable Spiderman hangs from a doorway. Action figures fill display cases. A giant, inflatable Yoda will greet customers on opening day.
Almost everything is for sale.
“I’ve been (collecting and selling) for 15 years,” Brooks said Thursday as the couple worked to stock the store. “I’ve always been a collector of ’80s toys.”
Vintage board games, action figures and music memorabilia from the 1970s, ’80s and ’90s will be what’s featured at the new business. The Bunnells will sell vintage video game systems, used toys and “new/old stuff that’s still in the packages,” Jessica said.
There are Ghostbusters, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Barbie, My Little Pony, Incredible Hulk, California Raisins, Simpsons and Hot Wheels, M&M, Mr. Potato Head and more. Children can find some inexpensive current toys priced as low as $1. A small selection of packaged candy is also available.
“Some of this stuff is for the ‘big kids’ who have collections,” Jessica noted.
The building they’ve rented was completely gutted and refurbished by its owner before the Bunnells moved in.
“We were looking for all kinds of locations,” Jessica said. They selected this one “Traffic goes by here all the time.”
“We liked that it was a stand-alone building,” added Brooks. “People know the building.”
In addition to selling, they will buy and trade items. They acquire their toys at auctions, garage sales, thrift stores and by word of mouth.
“I have a friend who buys out toy stores. He’s always got inventory to look through,” Brooks said. They also buy and sell through eBay.
The Retro Toy Box will be open Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
