VEGAS INC Magazine - Latest Las Vegas business news, features and commentaries about gaming, tourism, real estate and more
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IN BUSINESS RETAIL THESE TOYS ARE FUN, BUT MORE APPRECIATED IF LEFT IN THEIR BOXES By Aida Ahmed contributing writer The young Johnny Jimenez was different from most children. Instead of getting a dollar when he lost a tooth, he would often find a silver certificate or a Morgan dollar under his pillow. His father, a garbage man in Bakersfield, Calif., was an avid collector of antique money, and from a young age Jimenez knew the value of an old piece. "I always loved the old stuff," Jimenez said. "I loved the history behind it." "On my first birthday, my uncle bought me a box full of Star Wars toys, but my mom actually gave it to me when I was a little older. At that time I knew better, to save them and not to open them. That started my collection of toys." Fending off his three brothers, Jimenez kept his toys in mint condition, never removing them from their original packaging. He became friends with local antique dealers and started buying and selling old books, medicine bottles and toys that his dad would bring home from work. Now 32, Jimenez is the proud owner and Hasbro for new merchandise. "I became a single dad at 19, so I knew that I couldn't go into the corporate world and work the long shifts," Jimenez said. "I never looked at it as a career. I said, 'Let me give it a shot.' It started small and built up a clientele." The Toy Shack has been featured on the History Channel's highest rated show, "Pawn Stars," centered on the now famous Gold and Silver Pawn Shop run by Rick Harrison. In his first appearance on "Pawn TOY STORY: Owner Johnny Jimenez opened Toy Shack five years ago when the sign company he managed started to go under. of the Toy Shack, a toy store that specializes in collectible toys from as far back as the 1920s. When he is not explaining the history behind the toys to customers from all over the world, he is negotiating the sale of a Hot Wheels die cast model car for $1,600. The store started from his personal collection and grew as he purchased toys from a local distributor and antique stores that were closing. The store's inventory now includes more than 15,000 Hot Wheels that are over a decade old and an account with Mattel Stars," Jimenez consulted Harrison on the appraisal of a collection of Transformers toys worth an estimated $20,000. "Me and my daughter watched the show when it first started, so we were big fans from the beginning," said Jimenez, who grew up watching "Antiques Roadshow." "It was awesome to be a part of it. In the last 40 days, we've had four appearances on 'Pawn Stars' and have a future appearance on 'American Restoration.' People are starting to demand more toys on the show." BUSINESS – CIVIL – REAL ESTATE – LITIGATION WE INVITE YOU TO Close Your E-mail AND OPEN A WINE LIST. JOHN A. CURTAS Attorney-at-Law 3275 South Jones Boulevard Suite 105 Las Vegas, NV 89146 702.307.9500 John@CurtasLaw.com For all your civil litigation and restaurant needs. SPEND AN E L EGANT E-FREE EVENING WITH US. 250 Boylston St, Chestnut Hill . 617 928 1400 . thecapitalgrille.com 12 | 3 OCTOBER 2011 | © 2011, RHMI LEILA NAVIDI