Tell us a bit about yourself and your business. What made you decide to open your own small business and how long have you been in operation?
It was a hobby at first and then turned into a business. I’ve loved toys since I was a kid and started searching locally and at flea markets for vintage toys. I’ve been selling online since 2013 on Instagram and Facebook, eBay, etc., and then it turned into a brick and mortar store in 2015. I started in Springboro and later moved to the current location in downtown Dayton in August of 2019.
What do you enjoy about working in downtown Dayton?
The foot traffic and the community here is what attracted me to downtown. I like the community of businesses we have downtown and in the Oregon District, and getting to know customers on a first name basis – getting to know what they collect.
Tell us something about your business that may surprise people to learn.
It may surprise people to learn about the types of toys we collect. You’ll find everything from Star Wars to Ghostbusters to Legos, and we especially like things from the ’70s, ’80s and ’90s. Collectors often bring their toys into the store, and we sometimes will make house calls for those with larger collections.
Also, a local artist, Brian McCray, joined the shop about seven or eight months ago to help out, and his comic books are posted from time to time on our Facebook page.
How is your business coping with the pandemic and how can people support you now?
Our business is still doing pretty well because toys are essential to those who collect them! People can support us in person when following the current safety guidelines. Please check our website, Facebook or call for current hours. You can also shop online at mikesvintagetoys.com and follow us on Instagram and Facebook.
Mike’s Vintage Toys
508 E. Fifth St.
www.mikesvintagetoys.com
937-813-4363
facebook.com/Mikesvintagetoy
Instagram: @mikesvintagedyt
ebay.com/usr/mikesvintagetoys
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