Dave Stroup has opened Coin Collectible Corner inside Rev’s Pawn Shop, M-51 South. Rev’s bought out the adjacent video store.
“We’ve got everything from vintage toys to new action figures and silver,” Stroup said Friday. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday and, through the holidays, Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where else in Dowagiac could you find a Talking Tick (a cartoon character voiced by Patrick Warburton, who played Elaine’s boyfriend Puddy on “Seinfeld”), autographed photos of Jerry Seinfeld and John Travolta, John Lennon singles in photo sleeves, “Star Trek” Barbie and Ken, signed Notre Dame football cards, Smurfs, Elvis Presley, metal lunch boxes or a cigarette box made to resemble a Venetian gondola?
“We try to get stuff that’s unique and mainstream at the same time,” Stroup said.
Forty-fives are in mint condition.
“They’ve never been played,” he said, including Quarterflash, Debbie Harry, David Bowie, Queen, Lou Gramm of Foreigner, Outfield, Mick Jagger solo, Kiss, Madonna, Heart, U2, Prince and Paul Simon.
The 1982 Union High School graduate is a speed drummer and country musician.
“I’ve been in coins for about nine years, but I’ve been in collectibles a long time. I started buying silver and gold in 2003. I used to buy gold at $360 an ounce,” Stroup said.
Now gold goes for between $1,600 and $1,700 an ounce.
“I just bought a collection about a month and a half ago of about 40 ’70s TV dolls. The mother who collected the stuff passed away and the kids were going to give it to Goodwill. When my kids were small, if I could afford it, I’d buy two toys and put one up. I had long rock hair then. Bruce (Starrett) and I have the Coin Collectible Corner,” Stroup said.
“I see it here every day,” Starrett said.
“Lots of people are struggling.”