FEATURED STORY FROM THE BEST OF BG 2019 ISSUE
Rock’em Sock’em Retro
Gaming Store Built On Couple’s Relationship And Desire To Share Their Passion And Memories
A couple’s passion for collecting vintage games and other collectibles became Rock’em Sock’em Retro in downtown Bowling when they decided to share that passion with the public.
“My husband, Jon, and I started collecting when we first started dating about 10 years ago and we ended having to buy huge lots to start getting certain games we needed for our collection. Then it started taking over the living room and the house,” Kayla Minniear said. “We decided to try flea marketing and then when we were doing flea marketing, everyone was like ‘Hey, where’s your store?’ So we finally decided to open a store.”
When looking for a store location, Kayla Minniear was drawn to downtown Bowling Green due to childhood memories.
Because of those childhood memories and the high number of “cool” stores downtown, Kayla Minniear was focused and determined to find a store location in downtown Bowling Green.
“I wanted it to be in Bowling Green, so one time I was just going through (there) and our original store location, which was 192 S. Main St., was open and available. And I called him (Jon) and my mother, who is our CFO because she’s really good with finances, and was like I think I found where our store is going to go…Within three days, we signed the lease and it took us about a month to actually open,” Kayla said.
Since opening the store in October 2016, the Minniears have loved sharing their passion with others.
“My favorite part is how excited people get when they find a certain toy or certain game they’ve been looking for or just when they come in and they see their childhood and the nostalgia,” she said. “It’s just fun to talk to people about the nostalgia and what they collect.”