CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Are you looking for an old toy or album from your childhood? A four-month-old store in the northwest suburbs might just be the place to check out: Turbo Toyz and Collectibles in Prospect Heights.
“I think people are a little tired of buying collectibles online, because they can’t hold them, they can’t feel them, they can’t see them. They don’t get exactly what they want, so we decided to go back to brick and mortar solution,” said Alan Berkowsky, who retired after being fire chief in Winnetka, and before that in Evanston.
Berkowsky has been in the toys and collectibles business for about 25 years, and for years has sold items online.
Berkowsky co-owns the store that includes, “Star Wars, GI Joe, Hot Wheels, slot cars, video games, as you probably know, are real hot, sport cards and non-sport cards, Beatles are still very popular, as well as PEZ, those candy containers.”
The 62-year old said it’s not just older, nostalgic people looking to buy old toys and collectible items. He said he’s starting to see a younger generation getting into collecting.
“I had a 5-year old who collected Godzilla so his father brought him into the store for his birthday and he bought a Godzilla,” Berkowsky said.
There’s something for everyone, he said.
“You can come here and spend $3. You can come here and spend $300. We’re trying to give everyone an opportunity to buy something," he said.
Berkowsky said he and his business partner Keith Lulik buy items, too.
“Some of the people are bringing in, in their 60s and 70s, are bringing in their toys from their childhood simply because no one wants them. So, we’re getting people coming in and selling us some fun stuff," he said.
On weekends, Berkowsky said, you can find him scouring estate sales, yard sales, flea markets, and abandoned storage lockers looking for toys and collectibles to sell.
“I still have that passion for the hunt,” he said.
Store hours are Friday, Saturday and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. and Wednesday from 4:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Hours are expected to expand closer to the Christmas season.
Turbo Toyz and Collectibles is located at 4 N. Elmhurst Road (Elmhurst Road and Camp McDonald Road) in Prospect Heights.
Related
