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Biz Buzz shares business tidbits from the tri-state area. In addition to this development from Dubuque, we will share other news in Tuesday’s edition.
A retro video game and collectibles store has opened in downtown Dubuque.
Retro Treasures on the Mississippi opened last week at 1520 Central Ave. The store offers a variety of vintage video games, game consoles, toys and collectibles.
The store is co-owned by Justin Rainey and Benjamin Cartwright, longtime friends and gaming enthusiasts.
“We just wanted to do something a little different,” Cartwright said. “It seems like everything is going digital these days, so we wanted to have a space to show off those classic, physical games.”
Cartwright and Rainey get their merchandise from a variety of sources such as garage sales, online auctions and thrift stores. The business also will operate on a buy-sell-trade basis, meaning customers can bring in items of their own to sell or trade.
“It’s kind of like finding buried treasure when someone brings in a box of stuff they found in their closet or attic,” Rainey said. “That’s kind of where the treasures comes from in our (business name).”
Toys, action figures and collectibles line one wall of the Central Avenue store while the other displays video games and consoles. A glass display case is filled with myriad game discs and cartridges bearing logos for classics such as Super Mario, Guitar Hero and more.
Each item was selected for its cohesion with the store’s nostalgic vibe, Rainey said. For some visitors, a trip to the store could be the first time they see some of those items in decades.
“It just reminds you of your childhood looking at some of this stuff,” Rainey said. “You can come in at any age and find something that reminds you what it’s like to be a kid again.”
Rainey and Cartwright both expressed excitement and optimism about the upcoming holiday season, saying they hope to provide a unique gifting opportunity for shoppers looking for a classic, retro gift.
The store is open from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. More information on the store, upcoming promotional events and merchandise can be found on the Retro Treasures on the Mississippi Facebook page.