Never too old
Summerside-area man creates business dealing in previously loved children’s toys
G.I. Joe? Transformers? Barbie?
Cabbage Patch Kids?
All are strong toy brands that have been churning out innumerable variations of themselves for decades and there’s a good chance one of them conjures up strong feelings of childhood nostalgia for many.
Barry Slade knows full well the pleasure that a blast from the past can invoke. He has carved out a small business providing that experience. He calls it ‘The Lost Toys.’
Slade buys and sells previously loved children’s toys and has been doing so off and on for about a decade.
Much of his inventory is from the late 1970s to early 2000s, but he occasionally sees older and newer items as well. Toys from the 1980s are his hottest sales right now.
“Nostalgia is relative,” said
Slade.
About 10 years ago, while living in Cambridge, Ont., Slade had a friend who sold toys at a local flea market. He tagged along one day; he was hooked.
“I thought it was great, seeing all this stuff I hadn’t seen since I was a kid.”
The longer he sat at his friend’s table the more he got to see his own reaction of happiness reflected on the faces of the people who stopped by.
“The customers coming up to the table, they were so elated to find these childhood items they hadn’t seen in such a long time. The communication back and forth — everyone who approached was happy and had a smile on their face. It was just a really good experience,” he said.
Slade eventually started his own flea market-based toy resale business, but when he and his family relocated to the Summerside area a few years ago, he sold all but a few items in his inventory.
He eventually built it back up again by hitting up thrift stores, garage sales, flea markets and through word of mouth.
For two years he has been setting up his booth at the weekly North Shore Market in North Rustico and plans to return this year. He also recently launched a Facebook page for The Lost Toys and periodically posts new or interesting finds.
His customer base also might come as a surprise. All age groups are represented and buyers range from kids who see something interesting, to hardcore collectors looking for very specific pieces.
Toy collecting has become big business in recent years with brands like Star Wars and Transformers becoming mainstream pop culture. Depending on an item’s rarity it could be worth thousands or tens of thousands of dollars to the right collector.
Slade isn’t all that interested in chasing the super rare items,
though he’s happy to have them if he finds them. Generally, his most expensive items might be worth a few hundred dollars at best and he doesn’t charge buyers what they would otherwise have to pay on eBay or other online stores.
So long as he makes enough to keep his collecting going, he’s happy, he said.
“I get everything out of it. Honestly, it’s one of the most enjoyable hobbies I’ve ever had. From finding the items to fixing them up and showing them off to hundreds of people,” said Slade.
If anyone is interested in acquiring or maybe selling some of their interesting toys, they can talk to Slade at the North Shore Market or get in touch with him via ‘The Lost Toys’ Facebook page.