This Florida Toy Store Is Packed With Childhood Favorites You Forgot Existed
Remember waking up early on a Saturday, pouring a bowl of cereal, and rushing to the TV before your favorite cartoon started? Florida has plenty of places to visit, but only a few can bring that exact childhood excitement rushing back the moment you walk through the door.
And somehow, this Florida gem does it instantly.
Somewhere between the shelves, it hits you. Bright colors, familiar characters, and toys you once dreamed of owning suddenly surround you from every direction.
It feels like time folds in on itself for a second, and you are right back in those carefree years when the biggest decision of the day was which hero you liked most.
Spots like this are rare, even in Florida. They do more than display collectibles.
They unlock memories. And once that wave of nostalgia starts, it is impossible not to smile, slow down, and enjoy rediscovering those little pieces of childhood magic all over again.
Classic Action Figure Collections That Defined Your Childhood
Rows of classic action figures line the walls at TATE’S Comics + Toys + More, bringing back memories of playground trades and epic backyard battles. I found myself staring at original Transformers that I thought disappeared into some cosmic toy void decades ago.
The collection spans multiple generations, featuring everything from Masters of the Universe to Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles in their original packaging. Some figures still have price tags that make you realize how much allowance money vanished into these plastic heroes.
The store keeps both loose toys and mint-condition pieces, so collectors and casual browsers both find something that speaks to their inner kid.
What strikes me most is how carefully everything gets organized by franchise and era, making it easy to locate that one character you absolutely need to complete a set. Staff members actually know the difference between various releases and can point you toward rarities you didn’t know existed.
Prices range widely depending on condition and rarity, but browsing costs nothing except maybe your afternoon.
Every visit reveals figures I forgot existed until the exact moment I spot them on the shelf, triggering a flood of Saturday morning cartoon theme songs — especially once you realize you’re standing at 4566 N University Dr, Lauderhill, FL 33351, a spot that feels more like a time capsule than a store.
Manga Sections That Transport You Back To High School
Flipping through manga volumes at TATE’S takes me straight back to afternoons spent reading entire story arcs in bookstores before I could afford my own copies. The selection here covers both current bestsellers and older series that shaped the medium.
I discovered titles I read in high school that somehow fell off my radar as life got busier and responsibilities piled up. The shelves hold everything from mainstream shonen adventures to niche seinen series that never quite hit the cultural mainstream.
What impressed me was finding complete runs of series that other stores only stock in fragments, making it possible to actually finish a story without hunting across multiple shops.
The manga section gets regular updates with new releases, but the real treasure hunt happens in the back issue bins where discontinued series wait for readers who remember them. Prices stick close to cover price for new volumes, which some visitors mention in reviews, but the convenience of having such variety in one location saves considerable time and gas money.
I always budget extra time here because once I start browsing, three volumes somehow become seven before I reach the register.
Gundam Model Kits That Revive Your Building Obsession
The Gundam section at TATE’S could keep a model builder busy for months without repeating a single kit. I spotted grades ranging from simple High Grade snap-together models to intricate Master Grade builds that demand patience and precision.
Multiple reviews specifically praise the gunpla selection, and after seeing it myself, I understand why collectors make special trips here. The variety includes classic Mobile Suit Gundam designs alongside newer series that younger fans follow, creating a timeline of mecha evolution on the shelves.
Some kits come from limited runs that disappeared from other retailers years ago, making this spot essential for anyone trying to complete a specific lineup.
What caught my attention was the mix of price points, letting newcomers start with affordable entry kits while experienced builders can invest in premium limited editions. The staff actually builds these models themselves, so they offer practical advice about difficulty levels and tool requirements instead of just reading box descriptions.
I watched one customer debate between three different Zaku variants for a solid ten minutes, and honestly, I respected the dedication to choosing the perfect mobile suit for their collection.
Blind Box Figures That Turn Shopping Into Treasure Hunting
Blind box collecting turns ordinary shopping into a game of chance, and TATE’S stocks enough variety to feed that addictive thrill. Rows of mystery boxes from popular brands sit waiting for customers willing to gamble on which character hides inside the packaging.
I noticed everything from cute Sanrio collaborations to high-end designer toy series that appeal to adult collectors with refined tastes and disposable income. The appeal lies in that moment of opening the package and discovering whether you scored your chase figure or got a common character you already own three copies of.
Some series feature display figures in cases, though one review mentioned an unfortunate incident with a Hello Kitty blind box display that the owners addressed directly and professionally.
The selection rotates as series sell out and new releases arrive, keeping regular visitors on their toes about what might appear next. Prices reflect current market rates for licensed collectibles, which means popular series cost more but maintain their value for trading or reselling later.
I always tell myself I’ll buy just one blind box, then somehow end up with four because maybe this time I’ll finally pull that secret rare variant everyone wants.
Comic Book Back Issues That Complete Your Collection
Hunting through back issue bins feels like archaeological excavation, except instead of ancient pottery you unearth the exact issue that completes your childhood collection. TATE’S maintains an impressive selection of older comics alongside their new release wall, giving collectors access to decades of sequential art.
The organization by publisher and franchise makes finding specific issues far less frustrating than digging through random boxes at flea markets. I spotted keys and variants in protective cases with prices that reflect current market values, while dollar bins offer reading copies for people who care more about the story than investment potential.
Several reviews mention the range from affordable readers to high-end collectibles, making this a destination for various budget levels.
What separates this shop from competitors is the sheer volume of inventory and the staff’s willingness to help locate specific issues or suggest alternatives when your target comic sits outside your price range. The new release section stays current with weekly shipments, including ratio variants that smaller shops never order.
Every visit teaches me that my supposedly complete collection actually has at least five more gaps I never noticed until I spot the missing issues staring back at me.
High-End Statues That Showcase Your Fandom
Premium statues occupy their own elevated space at TATE’S, literally and figuratively, with glass cases protecting investments that run into hundreds or thousands of dollars. These aren’t toys you toss in a toybox but museum-quality pieces that anchor entire display shelves at home.
I found myself admiring the craftsmanship on limited edition releases from companies like Hot Toys and Sideshow Collectibles, where every texture and paint application receives obsessive attention. The selection covers major franchises like Star Wars and Marvel alongside niche properties that dedicated fans treasure.
One review mentioned prices on rare items running high, which makes sense given these statues often appreciate in value and sell out quickly at retail.
What impressed me was seeing pieces I only knew from online photos available for in-person inspection, letting buyers verify quality before committing serious money. The staff understands these purchases require consideration and never rushes anyone examining a potential centerpiece for their collection.
I spent twenty minutes studying a single statue’s paint work, mentally rearranging my entire living room to accommodate it, before reluctantly accepting my bank account wasn’t quite ready for that commitment yet.
Retro Video Game Merchandise That Sparks Controller Nostalgia
Video game merchandise at TATE’S covers everything from 8-bit classics to current generation releases, creating a timeline of gaming culture across multiple decades. I spotted plushies of characters I guided through countless levels as a kid, now transformed into huggable merchandise.
The selection includes figures, artwork, clothing, and accessories that let fans display their gaming allegiance beyond just playing the actual games. Classic Nintendo properties share shelf space with PlayStation icons and Xbox characters, ensuring no console loyalty goes unrepresented.
Some items qualify as genuine vintage merchandise that originally released alongside the games themselves, making them valuable to collectors who remember waiting in line for midnight launches.
What makes this section special is the mix of official licensed products and indie creator goods that celebrate gaming history with fresh artistic perspectives. Prices vary based on rarity and licensing, but browsing reveals options for every budget level.
I found myself explaining to a younger shopper why the cartridge-shaped merchandise mattered to people who never had to blow dust out of a game to make it work, feeling ancient but also grateful someone preserved that history.
Anime Figures That Bring Your Screen Favorites To Life
Anime figure collecting has evolved from niche hobby to mainstream passion, and TATE’S keeps pace with releases from both classic series and current seasonal hits. Detailed sculpts capture character designs with accuracy that makes you feel like the animation jumped off the screen and froze in three-dimensional form.
The variety spans from affordable prize figures to premium scale pieces with intricate details and dynamic poses that justify their higher price tags. I noticed figures from series that aired decades ago still available alongside characters from shows currently streaming, serving fans across multiple generations of anime fandom.
Several reviews specifically mention the impressive figure selection, confirming this isn’t just a comic shop that happens to stock a few anime items as an afterthought.
Display cases protect the more valuable pieces while open shelving lets you examine standard releases up close before purchasing. The staff recognizes different figure manufacturers and can explain quality differences between brands, helping newcomers avoid disappointment with their first purchase.
I caught myself mentally calculating how many figures I could fit on my existing shelves before remembering I’d need to buy more shelving units just to display everything that tempted me here.
Trading Card Game Supplies That Support Your Competitive Side
Competitive card gaming requires more than just buying booster packs and hoping for the best, and TATE’S Gaming Satellite location a few doors down specializes in exactly that depth. Bulk singles let players build specific decks without gambling on random packs, while protective supplies keep valuable cards safe from wear.
The selection covers major games like Magic the Gathering and Pokemon alongside less mainstream titles that maintain dedicated local communities. I appreciated finding organized singles instead of just sealed products, since hunting for specific cards at reasonable prices often determines whether someone can actually compete or just collect casually.
One review specifically praised the TCG shop’s large selection and extensive bulk inventory for patient diggers.
Regular players stop by monthly to check new arrivals and maintain their competitive edge with current meta cards. The staff keeps up with tournament results and format changes, offering deck-building advice that goes beyond just selling the most expensive cards in stock.
I watched someone sort through bulk commons with the focus of an archaeologist on a major dig, and honestly, that level of dedication to finding the perfect 25-cent card deserves respect and probably better lighting.
Pop Culture Art Gallery That Elevates Fan Appreciation
Upstairs at TATE’S, a dedicated gallery space transforms fan art and licensed prints into legitimate artistic appreciation rather than just merchandise. I found limited edition pieces and original artwork that elevated beloved characters beyond their commercial origins into genuine artistic statements.
The selection rotates with new artists and releases, giving collectors reasons to check back regularly for fresh additions to their walls. Prices reflect the art market rather than typical poster costs, but the quality and exclusivity justify the investment for serious collectors.
One visitor mentioned the lack of poster tubes for purchase, which the owner addressed by promising to stock them for convenience, showing responsiveness to customer needs.
What struck me was the curation that goes into selecting which pieces make it into the gallery versus standard merchandise downstairs. The presentation treats these works with the respect usually reserved for traditional fine art spaces, complete with proper lighting and spacing that lets each piece breathe.
I spent longer contemplating a single limited print than I did on most museum visits, which either says something about the art’s quality or my attention span, possibly both honestly.