The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Iconic store closing its doors on June 17
Big Fun owner Steve Presser, is going out on Father’s Day — in a way to honor his late father.
On the front windows of Big Fun in Cleveland Heights are disclaimers for what customers can expect inside one of Northeast Ohio’s most iconic and beloved stores: “We buy old toys” “Jokes & gags” “Collectibles” “Iron on T-shirts” “Cleveland souvenirs” “Unique gifts” However, there’s one disclaimer that sums up Big Fun for the last 27 years on Coventry Road:
“Merchants of happiness.”
But on June 17, there will be sadness as Big Fun closes its doors for the last time. Owner Steve Presser, a Cleveland Height native, is going out on Father’s Day — in a way to honor his late father.
“My dad helped me open the store on April Fools Day
1991,” Presser said. “We’re gonna close on Father’s Day. It’s time.”
On June 14, Presser arrived at Big Fun at about noon, knowing the countdown to June 17 was approaching.
If he had his way, Presser wouldn’t be closing the
doors.
“It’s bittersweet for me. I’m in denial,” he said. “I don’t want to leave this place.”
Big Fun is a shell of its old self in its final week. The store — located at 1782 Coventry Road — was once overflowed with action figures of G.I. Joe, Star Wars and Transformers, retro video games, Legos, comic books, novelty gifts and more.
Presser made the announcement of Big Fun’s closing in early 2018, and started a 50 percent off sale that’s been ongoing and remains in affect until 5 p.m., June 17.
He said he’s not aware of a new tenant taking over his spot.
The rise of Amazon and Ebay and shopping apps such as Let It Go and Offer Up forced Presser into a difficult decision. Going head to head with online shopping was hiss worst nightmare.
What he offered at Big Fun was the exact opposite.
“Today, most people click and button and they’re done shopping,” said Presser, 60.
“I always feel it’s best to shop in person. Look, feel, smell.”
The store provided adults and kids a type of way-back machine and a dose nostalgia. Pick any brand of pop culture, and it’s likely Big Fun had it covered somewhere in its more than 2,000 square feet.
“People want to relive their childhood,” said Presser.
Big Fun provided that escape, and of course plenty of fun.
Presser’s inspiration for Big Fun struck years ago when he visited a Chicago nostalgia toy store owned by Ted Frankel named Uncle Fun.
“The first time I stepped in there, it was overwhelming,” said Presser.
“My body was on fire, and I had to sit down. I remember Ted coming up to me and asking if I was OK.”
Presser grew up in the 1960s, and fell in love with TV shows such as “The Munsters,” “The Addams Family,” and “Lost in Space,”
That love of pop culture and the experience of Uncle Fun gave Presser the idea of his own store. He took that idea and followed with Big Fun in Cleveland.
Presser expanded to a west side store, but that location has since been closed.
Meanwhile, it was recently announced Uncle Fun was getting its own documentary.
The name Big Fun will stay alive.
Presser said he and Tom Scheiman, owner of B.A. Sweeties Candy Company, 6770 Brookpark Road in Cleveland, are joining forces to create Sweeties Big Fun.
Presser said the store will open sometime in June at the Pinecrest development in Orange Village.
It won’t be a transplanted Big Fun, but it will have plenty of gag gifts and other toys that made Big Fun so popular.
“Nostalgia never goes out of style,” said Presser.