Riverside's Monsters in My Closet: Vintage and Modern Toy and Collectible Store Tour

I was excited when I drove by the beautiful Monsters In My Closet sign on Stockon Street near my house. I knew the inside would be a nostalgic treat and in the end I wasn't disappointed! Come take a look at this beautiful vintage toy store with me!

The colors are perfection and the shelf of kitsch, horror and retro VHS tapes + display case of deliciously blocky generation 1 Transformers made my heart swell. They had some of my favorite horror movies there.

I found out the VHS tapes are actually a rental club! It's funny, I've actually be asked in business consultations more than once if a VHS rental store would be a viable business option as a retro revival. To make a living, probably not, as one part of your business model or out of passion, why not? The owners tell me they're actually out of VHS players because they sell so fast. I of course, adore the Creepshow sign for their VHS rental club and the masks purchased specifically to decorate the store.

The owner's a tattoo artist so the collections are displayed with an artist's eye for balance and composition. Beautiful to behold, like a toy museum.

And the space has a cozy vibe, like hanging out in the living room of a dedicated collector. Actually the wall color makes it a little like my second apartment.

I sold the owner one of my godzilla toys and a megazord and was kindly allowed to roam about taking all the pictures. I learned he also happens to be vegan and there's a vegan hotdog cart the first of the month so I'll definitely be back for that and to absorb the energy from all those beautiful, well-cared-for toys! Our area needed a nerdy pop culture collectible hub. I'm so glad they're here and doing well, bringing nostalgia and happiness to their customers.

For daily updates, information, & Inspiration: Follow me on Twitter and Facebook and Instagram.