Dickson’s New Wave a throwback for video games, collectibles, sports

The proprietor of New Wave Hobbies, Kenny Lengthy, has labored regular day jobs earlier than, clocking out and in for almost 10 years. 

Lengthy concurrently offered collectibles on-line, often sports activities playing cards and video video games, within the earliest days of eBay and Craigslist. 

“I’ve identified these things my complete life,” mentioned Lengthy, wanting round his Dickson retailer stuffed with varied in style characters and sports activities stars. 

So, 4 years in the past, he checked out his two revenue sources. Lengthy realized he loved and “believed” within the success of collectibles extra  –  and he made more cash with these on-line gross sales. 

Now, Lengthy avoids making web gross sales. He needs to promote objects face-to-face in New Wave Hobbies. He greets a number of clients on a latest afternoon whereas flipping by way of Pokémon playing cards and making “dad jokes.” A employees member cleans a newly bought Batman collectible with a Lysol wipe and brush. 

“I do know Dickson. I’ve been right here my complete life,” Lengthy mentioned. “I understood that Dickson wanted a card store. I really like doing it. I really like being round these things. Every thing I promote, I like.” 

“That is my assortment. That is how I acquire,” he added. 

Expands, even throughout pandemic

New Wave first constructed up enterprise in again of a retail strip mall house on Henslee Drive – “simply so it wasn’t in my home” – earlier than shifting to the entrance. 

“It was simply taking an opportunity,” mentioned Lengthy, including it began “gradual, actual gradual.” 

Then, Lengthy took one other likelihood shifting to the present location in November 2020 within the Preston Thompson procuring house, subsequent to Miss Amy’s Dance.