Meet Brandon Riks of The Gnarly Toybox

Today we’d like to introduce you to Brandon Riks.

Brandon, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I was a tattoo artist for about 15 years and right after my son was born, we moved into a new home. During unpacking, I found some of my old toys from my childhood in some boxes. That was the springboard to my personal collecting. I started collecting pretty heavily for my self. Eventually, I would start buying large lots of toys for one thing I personally needed and then would resell the rest online. My hobby and collecting gradually became a side business that I took a lot of joy in.

As my collection grew, people began to know me more and more online and business grew from me and eventually, I was focusing more on that. My wife suggested it was time to make the switch and get a brick and mortar store. So we took some time researching locations and building inventory and shelving. Eventually, in October 2018, we found our storefront location, signed the lease and began the build-out. On black Fridays 2018, we officially opened The Gnarly Toybox to the public and have been having loads of fun buying, selling and trading with other collectors and giving others the joy of 80s, 90s and early 2000s childhood nostalgia. We specialize in vintage toys, specifically 80s, 90s and early 2000s. Its a lot of fun walking down memory lane and have had an overwhelming positive response from the public and other collectors and children at heart. Many people come in for their personal collecting or lots come in to share their childhood toys and memories with their own children, family and friends!

Has it been a smooth road?
Its been a pretty fun, smooth road so far! I guess the biggest challenge was making the switch from online to a brick and mortar location and building our name and brand! As always, there are those challenges of getting your name out there and starting a new local business but it was also a lot of fun and we have met a lot of awesome locals along the way!

So, as you know, we’re impressed with The Gnarly Toybox – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Well, we are The Gnarly Toybox. We specialize in vintage toys and collectibles from the 80s, 90s, and early 2000s. We are known for having an amazing selection at incredible prices! We have also built a great reputation for offering the most for buying toys and collectibles and always being fair! I personally love the weird, gross toys and have a great selection of that! If people are looking for specific things, I’m typically able to eventually source it for them!

Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
What I like best about our city is the diversity and community! Our people walk around proud of our state and city. And in most cases, everyone is pretty loving and accepting! Its really cool observing the different collectors from all walks of life and how this hobby connects them all! I don’t have really any dislikes.

Contact Info:

• Address: 7625 W Hampden Ave. Unit 2 lakewood CO 80227
• Website: https://www.lakewoodcollectibletoys.com/buying
• Phone: 7203551068
• Email: Thegnarlytoybox@gmail.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thegnarlytoybox/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/Gnarlytoybox/
• Yelp: https://m.yelp.com/biz/the-gnarly-toybox-lakewood
• Other: https://the-gnarly-toybox.business.site/

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