Positively Cleveland Visits Big Fun

Steve’s 2010 Holiday Wish: Please Buy Local!

Dear Friends,

2010….

Talk about the ultimate in recycling, this is the third straight year for this letter. I guess I’ll keep reusing it until people start to “get it”. Most of us independent business owners have joined some type of organization, to help promote indie businesses. There are neighborhood groups, special improvement districts, and now independent business alliances. They are all for the betterment of our communities and the quality of our lives. Please tell people to support and buy local. We cab be the change.

2009…

I’ve been asked to repeat last year’s Holiday Season Letter – So in that spirit, I will oblige.  I must also add an additional sentence or two- The “local economy” has not gotten better…. actually it has worsened. When I say local, I mean the neighborhoods where most of us live.  We see more vacant storefronts and less people out shopping.  The internet has taken its toll! Like the Film Oscars, where each year, they roll images of important people who have passed…. we too, in our neighborhoods continue to watch stores that have been around for 10, 20, and even over 100 years die off and close.  Please shop locally and support your independent businesses!

2008…

I hope this message finds you and your family in good health.  We all cannot avoid the constant barrage of the negative news about the economy.  It’s in the newspapers, magazines and radio. Its reality – we’ve been in a full-blown recession for over a year.  Sadly, most of the retail doom and gloom has been focused on the Big Box retailers.  Their numbers are down, but those pale in comparison to the hurt this down economy has put on small independent stores.  I’ve talked to many businesses across the board and nearly all are experiencing a very serious downturn thus far this holiday season.  In some cases, we’re talking 40+ percent decreases in sales from last year (which, by the way, for most was a down year from the previous year, 2006. For these independent stores, the holiday season represents 25% of their annual sales – the holiday season is a “make it or break it” scenario.  Compound this with increasing cost of goods, skyrocketing utility rates, rent hikes, taxes and well…. you don’t have to be a rocket scientist to figure out the negative consequences.  So why am I sending this email?  It is more than a gentle, subliminal reminder…. It’s a plea!  SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL INDEPENDENT RETAILER THIS HOLIDAY SEASON.  I fear many will not survive the winter.  We talk about where we live and why we choose certain neighborhoods.  We talk about what we value and sometimes we don’t put a price on what it means to us.  What about customer service?  What about product knowledge?  I could go on.

Remember that it is many of your local merchants who donate to or sponsor events with organizations that you are familiar with.  Studies show a large percentage of dollars stay in a community when you BUY LOCAL vs. leaving the state with an online or big box purchase.  Sadly, if a local store closes, it not only becomes an empty storefront (in this economy, they’re not lining up to rent spaces) but the trickle down from this loss affects many – the local accountant, lawyer, insurance broker and printer to name a few.  So you really know many who are or would be affected by the closing of a local “Mom and Pop”.  So, PLEASE during this holiday season…. try to spread the “Good Gospel”…. support your local bookstore, record shop, boutique, hardware store, coffee shop, and toy store.   Shop at the galleries and support local artists.  Go out and support the small music clubs that hire local musicians.  Eat at independent restaurants.  Put the word out on the street.  Forward this email.  Tell your neighbors, friends and coworkers.  Teach your kids about the importance of supporting local businesses.  It’s all about education and awareness.  Buy multiple gift certificates in small amounts to give away this holiday season….

Steve Presser
Be The Change – Think Globally…. Shop Locally

Cleveland. Got To Be Tough! Merchandise

We are and we’re damn proud of it. We have watched our sports teams get so close….we all know about: The Drive, The Fumble, The Shot, The….yet, we still are the best sports fans around. We’ve watched our city go up and yes, down over the past years. Yet, we have a nucleus of progressive, creative thinking independent business owners, from restaurants to music venues to store owners who “get it” and are staunch Cleveland supporters.

I was once asked what I love most about Cleveland- My answer was easy: Clevelanders!!! I salute all of you.

So in the spirit of all of us Clevelanders, Big Fun has produced a whole line of:

CLEVELAND….YOU’VE GOT TO BE TOUGH!!! items from T-Shirts, to coffee and beer mugs, shot glasses, bumper stickers, and magnets. There are many other great images on our magnets and a slew of other great CLEVELAND SOUVENIRS for the ex-patriot in your life. We also continue to carry a great selection of GHOULARDI products.

I have to go on record as saying our stores have never looked better. We have reorganized and beef up sections to make your buying experience, easier and more FUN. Our product mix has never been greater. We have a kick-ass COLLECTIBLE section that is second to none. Our giant JOKE and GAG section makes great STOCKING STUFFERS, as do our classic candy goodies from your childhood. Vintage and new Rock-n-Roll gifts for all ages. We went wild on Christmas cards this season for those not so normal family members and friends. Old school video games are the rage this year and we are deep in Nintendo, Atari and Sega. We also went on a book buying trip to find incredible books at discount prices. We have the biggest variety of Mad Libs around. I could go on and on, but suggest you do yourself a favor and stop in so you can see for yourself, what everyone is talking about.

Cats on Holiday Play Big Fun

This Thursday, December 16th, my dear friend, Denis DeVito and the great guys from Cats On Holiday have graciously offered to play inside in our west side store from 6-9 pm – 11512 Clifton Blvd. On top of that, the first 35 people to spend over $25.00 will receive a free “Cats” T-shirt. Besides being a great band, they’re ALL nice guys.

Hmmm…Let’s see—Muzak at Walmart or Cats on Holiday at Big Fun.
Come celebrate the “Season” with BIG FUN and Cats on Holiday.

SUPPORT LIVE MUSIC!

Video: O’ What Fun (Featuring Big Fun)

Come vote for Mancinetti Pictures at the Plain Dealer’s Cleveland Holiday Movie Contest. I mean he did feature us in his video.

How Crayola Crayons Are Made

CoolCleveland Interviews Steve Presser

In this short video Steve talks about the importance of buying local and some of the wonderful independent retailers in the Coventry area. Check it out.

Star Wars Sales Promotion

If you can’t make it to the Star Wars Celebration V in Orlando this weekend, we are more than happy to try and satisfy your intergalatic hunger. Although we won’t be dressing up, if you decide to go all out and arrive in custom yourself you’ll get a free SW mints tin, 15% off your purchase, and maybe a lil’ extra (depending on extent of costume) from Big Fun this weekend.

Big Fun: Play Through The Decades

Hello Cleveland reviews Big Fun:

Do you remember playing with G.I. Joes when you were little? How about Treasure Trolls? Lite Brite? Did you ever play with your Rainbow Brite or Teddy Ruxpin while munching on fruity wax soda bottles, candy buttons or candy cigarettes (before they had their name changed to “candy sticks”)? If these kinds of things bring back rushing memories of your childhood, you’ll be thrilled to take a trip down memory lane at Cleveland’s Big Fun Toy Store.

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Named by Playboy as one of the “coolest stores” in all of America, Big Fun has two area locations: the original location on Coventry in Cleveland Heights, and a west side location on Clifton Boulevard. Locally-owned and operated, Big Fun provides an experience that you just can’t get at other local toy stores. Whether you were born in the 30s or the 90s (or even yesterday), you’ll find something at Big Fun that you didn’t know you couldn’t live without.

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Opened in 1990 by owner Steve Presser, Big Fun has been a true Cleveland icon since its humble beginning. When one thinks of Coventry, it goes without saying that they also envision the familiar colorful block lettering of the Big Fun storefront and the memories that come along with it.

Cleveland Magazine: Big Fun Review

And we make their list for one of the best shopping experiences in Cleveland:

Pointing out reasons why people don’t need to cross the Cuyahoga River isn’t our thing. We battle our city’s East Side/West Side divide as much as anyone. But sometimes an idea is too good to be corralled on one side of town. The opening of a West Side Big Fun was one of those instances. The retro toy store is a Cleveland Heights landmark, and its second location along Clifton Boulevard is a spot-on, albeit smaller, version of its namesake. Everything you love about the original is here: vintage Star Wars figures, old-school video game consoles and the big wooden library card catalog packed with quirky trinkets. (We also dug the fresh touch of using offbeat board games as floor tiles.) Soon, the West Side will be returning the favor with its own export.