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If the answer to any of these questions is “YES” – then you need to visit Crazy Cool Collectibles at 348 N Main Street in Mooresville (next to Stardust Skate Shop and across from FIRST BANK & ATM.) Trust me! You will not be disappointed.
“My store is an experience not a store,” says owner Brad Kalmikoff.
“I pride myself on having a friendly welcoming vibe for everyone.”
Crazy Cool Collectibles has a huge selection of memorabilia that is fascinating and entertaining too. All ages can enjoy the countless items that inspire memories and moments in life – almost like a MUSEUM!
Crazy Cool Collectibles is fun for ALL ages
“I’m adamant about letting customers know they should not feel uncomfortable to just stop in to look around or just to hang out and have some good conversation,” says Kalmikoff. “My main focus isn’t on making sales; it’s about making relationships with customers who turn into friends.” His goal is to provide a fun place that isn’t “your typical cookie cutter collectibles store.”
The dinosaur at the front of the store is not the only scary thing in Crazy Cool Collectibles. Be sure to check out the backroom. It is an experience all by itself. The creepy fear it evokes is part of the experience – definitely worth witnessing.
This is a small sample of the paintings that are available for purchase –
$25 includes a lovely black frame.
“My step father (Richard Neff) loves to draw for fun,” explains Brad. Cow caricatures and funny sayings are his specialty. “I told him that we need to sell his artwork in my store. Even though it has nothing to do with Crazy Cool Collectibles, we made a deal that when I sold any of his drawings — 100% of the proceeds go to FEED NC.”
Richard and his wife Eileen both volunteer at Feed NC and love the idea that Richard’s talent can support our local organization that assists those in need.
Nine more choices – each one is beautifully framed for $25 – they make great gifts
Each time Brad sells four pictures at $25 each, he matches the total and cuts a check to FEED NC for $200. When you visit Crazy Cool Collectibles, be sure to check out the paintings/drawings by Richard Neff – they make great gifts too – and it is a wonderful way to help the Mooresville community as well.
“Like most citizens of Mooresville, I am not a native. I was born and lived my whole life in the northwest suburbs of Chicago. As far as my younger days, I was a typical suburban Jewish kid,” Brad says.
Brad enjoys displaying his collectibles and sharing nostalgic stories with his customers
“Five years ago, my parents decided to retire and move to the Mooresville area and I just followed them down,” Brad chuckles. “As a single guy with no children, I decided to quit my job, sell my home and move with no plans for anything.” – except – maybe – to start the business of his dreams.
With a smile on his face, he continues, “Basically, I love to work and help people and I have nothing else that takes up my time or distracts me so that I can be the very best at what I do and give the best service possible.”
From movie memorabilia and posters to The Simpsons to Pokémon and baseball cards to scary clowns and everything in between — Crazy Cool Collectibles has it all. Plus – the prices are reasonable and the experience is priceless!
“My step dad came into my life when I was six and when he moved in, his entire original Star Wars collection came with him. It really intrigued me,” Brad remembers. “Like most kids, I always had action figures and stuff growing up. As soon as I was able to make my own money – which was around the time of Power Rangers became popular — I spent every penny I had on anything that was Power Rangers related.”
He still has most of his initial Power Ranges collection intake and in the original boxes
“As a young undiagnosed child with OCD, everything had to be new and in the box. I just wanted to have things on display like a museum, and of course, I had to have everything and I never opened anything. My love for music, movies, tv shows, and horror always had me collecting things and building up my museum that eventually expanded into my entire home.”
There is so much to see at Crazy Cool Collectibles
In Chicago, Brad was financially stable and successful in his career, but he wasn’t happy with his job. “I got bored in a commission based position where I just argued with customers every day trying to get a discount,” claims Brad. “I realized, even though I was doing extremely well financially, I just wasn’t happy with life and I needed a change.” As a result, he followed his dream of starting his own business in Mooresville – focusing on his beloved hobby of collecting things. Presto – Crazy Cool Collectibles was opened.
Customers – young and old – love hanging out at Crazy Cool Collectibles
“I love to be honest, fair, and to help people,” states Brad. “I buy, sell, and trade at my store and when you involve having customers sell things to you and trade in things to you, it’s much different than just selling,” Brad speaks frankly.
“When customers come in to sell me something, I don’t just make an offer and I certainly don’t call in an expert. My process is to evaluate everything and to do so in front of the customer, so we can both agree on what they have and its value. There’s no behind the scenes trickery or deception to “rip” anyone off. Honesty and education is what people appreciate. If I can’t help someone, I’ll go to great lengths to refer them to someone who can,” says Brad.
“I will also take as much time as possible – and patience — with kids who don’t know how to look up the values of their items or just help anyone to understand how to look up values of their collectibles.” This is what Brad Kalmikoff loves to do.
“It’s also super important to me to be an inspiration and role model to others who struggle with ADD and OCD like me.” Brad wants young people to know that they do not have to be “super human to be successful, happy and work at what you ENJOYI”
Who can relate?
“I’m a drummer — I’m a chef — I love storms. I’m a mama’s boy. I LOVE THE WALKING DEAD, I LOVE 80’s movies. I don’t take anything serious,” states Brad Kalmikoff . “If I won the lottery, nothing would change, but I would mostly do good helping those in need.”
“I hold the highest standards of customer service when it comes to my business and business in general and when I don’t receive the same service in return I get super upset and take it personally; I can’t help it!!!!!!! My mother always tells me to calm down because not everyone is like me — I guess that’s a good thing.”
Stop by and visit Brad at Crazy Cool Collectibles. If the store is open – he is there and eager to engage in conversation about important “stuff” . . . like collectibles!
Are you ready to go on the hunt for “Normie” the Lake Norman Monster? Starting June 1st, join Fred & June’s Books and a plethora of other Downtown Mooresville businesses for the inaugural “Find Normie Scavenger Hunt!” It’s FREE and it last all month long! Visit the LakeNormanMonster.com website or stop in to Fred & June’s Books for more information!
Facebook: Crazy Cool Collectibles
Instagram: crazycoolcollectibles3
312.303.0060
Article and Pictures by Tesa Jones
Tesa Jones is a graduate of Elon College, now Elon University, a mother of two, a grandmother of five, and she currently resides in Mooresville with her husband. She is a published author, an avid blogger, and a passionate photographer. Learn more about Tesa Jones at www.booksbytesajones.com/book and contact her via:
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