Some of the best memories in West Virginia are hiding behind plain little storefronts you could drive past a hundred times. You step inside expecting a quick look around, and suddenly you are eight years old again, staring at the same action figure you begged for one long-ago Christmas.
That is the kind of surprise waiting at one special toy shop in southern West Virginia. It is roomy, packed with treasures, and built for anyone who still remembers Saturday morning cartoons.
A Mercer Street Storefront With a Big Secret
Tucked along Mercer Street in downtown Princeton, 80’s Toys of Princeton does not shout for attention from the sidewalk. It looks like one more shop on a row of old buildings, the kind of place you might glance at while hunting for parking.
Walk through the door, though, and the whole picture changes. Visitors regularly say the store is much larger inside than they ever expected, and every bit of that space is filled with toys from yesterday and today.
Shelves, racks, and bins stretch farther back than the front window lets on.
The shop is a toy store at heart, but it plays a bigger role for folks around Mercer County. For grown-ups, it works like a time machine.
For kids, it is simply a wonderland full of things to point at and ask about.
Families from across the region make the drive, and one happy shopper even suggested that anyone within about 60 miles should swing by. That is a pretty strong vote of confidence for a spot that looks so modest from the street.
Think of it as a little piece of hometown pride, wrapped in bright packaging and waiting to be opened.
Part of Princeton’s Downtown Revival
Downtown Princeton has been enjoying a fresh wave of energy in recent years, with local shops and colorful spaces bringing new life to Mercer Street. Old buildings that once sat quiet are welcoming people again.
One visitor who came home for Thanksgiving noted that the toy store fits perfectly with the rest of that downtown revival. It is easy to see why.
A shop devoted to happy memories feels right at home on a street that is rediscovering its own good old days.
Many West Virginians remember when Main Street was the place to be on a Saturday. You walked from store to store, ran into neighbors, and maybe talked your parents into one small treat.
Places like this help bring back that feeling, even if just for an afternoon.
There is something comforting about spending money at a locally run shop instead of a giant chain. The dollars stay closer to home, and the experience feels more personal.
So when you visit, give yourself extra time to stroll Mercer Street before or after. The toy store makes a great anchor for a slow, friendly day downtown, the way small-town shopping used to be.
Room After Room of Surprises
Here is a tip straight from people who have wandered these aisles: keep your eyes peeled. Shoppers mention that there is far more inside than you would guess, and if you move too fast, you will miss something good.
The layout rewards slow browsing. One shelf might hold loose figures from decades ago, while the next shows off brand-new boxed releases.
Turn a corner and there is a bin of parts, a stack of cards, or a character you forgot existed.
A few longtime visitors say they have not seen so many toys and collectibles in one place in years. That kind of density turns a simple shopping trip into a treasure hunt.
It helps to go in without a strict plan. Sure, you might come looking for one special figure, but half the fun is stumbling on the thing you never knew you wanted until it was right in front of you.
Bring patience and maybe a list of what you already own, especially if you collect. With this much packed in, it is easy to lose track of time.
Nobody seems to mind, though. Getting a little lost is part of the charm here.
The Toy Lines Everyone Remembers
He-Man. Optimus Prime.
Barbie in her dream-house glory. Just reading those names probably sparks a memory or two, and they all show up on the shelves here.
Visitors have spotted Masters of the Universe, Barbie, Marvel, Hot Wheels, Star Wars, G.I. Joe, LEGO, and Transformers, among many others.
That mix covers a lot of childhoods, from kids who raced tiny cars across the kitchen floor to those who staged galaxy-wide battles in the backyard.
What makes the variety special is how many different decades it touches. Older toys sit near modern versions, so a parent and child can each find a favorite in the same aisle.
One shopper said their kids love older toys, and they were able to find a whole lot for them in a single visit.
The selection covers both boys and girls, collectors and casual fans. You do not need to know the history of every line to enjoy the colorful displays.
For anyone who grew up in West Virginia during the 1980s, this shop can feel like opening the old toy box in Grandma’s attic. Only here, everything is neatly arranged and ready to go home with you.
G.I. Joe Headquarters, Southern WV Edition
Yo Joe! If that battle cry still gives you a little thrill, this store deserves a spot on your map.
G.I. Joe comes up again and again when people talk about the place.
One visitor said it had the most 6-inch G.I. Joes they had ever seen in one spot.
Another praised the shop for G.I. Joe Classified figures, the modern line that has won over plenty of grown-up fans.
Vintage fans have reason to smile too. Anyone who has tried to restore an old G.I.
Joe vehicle knows how tough it can be to track down missing pieces. Regulars say this shop has a ton of parts for those vintage vehicles, and at fair prices.
That is the kind of find that keeps collectors coming back again and again.
Fun fact for the curious: G.I. Joe was relaunched in 1982 as smaller figures with a whole team of characters and a cartoon to match.
That era shaped a generation of kids, many of them right here in the Mountain State.
Whether you want to finish a childhood set or start fresh with modern figures, this aisle can easily eat up an hour.
Marvel Legends, Black Series and Wrestling Aisles
Superheroes, starfighters, and ring legends share the spotlight in another corner of the store. For modern collectors, this may be the main event.
Shoppers describe the Marvel Legends selection as huge, easily one of the best around for action figures. Star Wars: The Black Series gets plenty of love too.
One visitor suggested that if you are missing that one Black Series figure from your shelf, this is the place to check.
Wrestling fans are covered with large sections of WWE figures. Not everyone who walks in cares about wrestling, and one visitor admitted it was not really their thing, but the sheer amount on display shows how wide the store’s reach goes.
These lines are popular with teens and adults who display figures at home. Having so many in one shop saves hours of online searching and shipping headaches.
It is also just fun to look. Rows of heroes and villains lined up in bright packaging make for a colorful sight, even if you only plan to browse.
Kids tend to stop and stare at their favorite characters, and honestly, so do plenty of grown-ups who swore they were just waiting on the family.
Loose Figures and Smart Savings
Not every collector needs the box. Plenty of folks would rather have the figure itself, out and ready to display or play with, and this shop caters to them nicely.
Visitors point out that loose figures are often priced lower than their boxed versions, which is great news for loose collectors. Several shoppers describe the prices on loose toys as incredibly fair, and that value covers many different toy lines.
For families watching a budget, that matters. A child can walk out happy with a favorite character without mom or dad paying collector-box prices.
Grandparents looking for a small gift may find loose toys a friendly, affordable option.
To be fair, not everything is a bargain. Some shoppers say prices on new, boxed items can be steep or a little rough, though most agree that is expected with current collectibles.
It is smart to decide ahead of time what you want to spend.
Staff are also described as easy to work with and open to reasonable offers. A polite conversation may go a long way.
Either way, mixing loose finds with an occasional special purchase is a good strategy for stretching your dollars here.
Little Cards, Big Memories
Sometimes the smallest item packs the biggest punch. One first-time visitor bought a single Garbage Pail Kids card and said it brought back a childhood memory instantly.
If you were a kid in the mid-1980s, you probably remember those gross-out cards. Many schools reportedly banned them, which of course made them even more popular on the playground.
Trading them at recess felt like serious business.
That is really the magic of this store. It is not always about the big, pricey collectible.
Often it is a tiny thing, a card, a small figure, a toy you had forgotten, that sends you right back to a bedroom floor covered in treasures.
Another shopper said they picked up toys they had played with almost 30 years earlier and bought them for their son. Picture that moment: handing your own child the same toy you once loved.
For West Virginia families, where stories get passed down at every kitchen table, those moments mean something. A toy becomes a way to share who you were at that age.
It is nostalgia you can hold in your hand, and it rarely costs much at all.
Matt, the Owner Behind the Counter
Every great shop has a great person keeping it running. Here, visitors often mention Matt, the owner, by first name, which says a lot about the kind of welcome people get.
Shoppers call him one of the best guys in the business. They describe him as really nice, cool, and very knowledgeable about the toys he sells.
If you have a question about a figure, a line, or a missing piece, chances are he can help.
That know-how makes a difference for collectors. It is one thing to sell toys and another to truly understand them.
Visitors say he knows his craft, and that expertise builds trust.
Staff in general get warm praise too. People describe them as extremely friendly, super nice, and easy to work with.
More than one shopper thanked the store for great service.
In a small town, that personal touch is everything. You are not just a customer number here.
Regulars, including couples who visit often together, keep returning because they enjoy the people as much as the shelves. It feels a bit like visiting a friend who happens to own the best toy collection in Mercer County.
Straight A’s Earn Store Credit
Good grades just got a lot more exciting. According to one happy parent, the store gives a $10 credit to kids who bring in a report card with all A’s.
That parent said their little girl loved it, and it is easy to imagine why. Hard work in the classroom turning into a new toy is a pretty powerful reward for a young student.
Programs like this show a shop that cares about its community, not just its sales. It encourages kids to try their best in school while giving families one more reason to visit a local business.
It also brings back a sweet piece of old-fashioned small-town life. Plenty of West Virginians remember a corner store owner who slipped them a treat for a good report card.
This feels like that same spirit, updated for today.
If you have a student at home, it may be worth asking about the program on your next visit, since details can change over time. Either way, it is a lovely example of a business rooting for local kids.
For parents and grandparents, that kind of kindness is often remembered long after the toy itself is outgrown.
Fun for Every Generation
Walk in on any given day and you might spot a teenager, a young dad, and a retiree all browsing the same shelf. One visitor noticed that shoppers covered the whole spectrum, from young to, as they cheerfully put it, less young.
That mix is a big part of the charm. Parents recognize most of the toys from their own childhood, while their kids go absolutely bananas over the colors and characters.
Everybody gets excited, just for different reasons.
For grandparents, it can be a wonderful outing with the grandkids. You get to share stories about what toys were like back when, and the little ones get to pick out a treasure.
It is an easy, low-stress way to spend time together.
Teens and young adults love it too. One parent said their son spends all his extra money there, which is either a warning or a recommendation depending on your wallet.
The atmosphere is relaxed and friendly, never stuffy. Nobody expects you to be an expert collector.
Whether you want to get your nerd on or simply enjoy a trip down memory lane, you will fit right in.
Hours, Address and Planning Tips
Timing matters with this shop, so plan ahead. Hours are limited on weekdays, and missing the window would be a real letdown.
Based on posted hours, the store opens Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 5 to 7 PM. Saturday offers the longest stretch, from 10 AM to 6 PM.
It is closed on Wednesday and Sunday. Hours can change, so checking the store’s Facebook page before you go is a smart move.
Saturday is probably the best bet if you want to browse slowly. Two evening hours on a weeknight go fast in a place this packed, especially if you are hunting something specific.
You will find the shop at 935 Mercer St, Princeton, WV 24740, right in the heart of downtown. Princeton sits in Mercer County in southern West Virginia, making it a manageable trip for folks from Bluefield, Beckley, and nearby communities.
A few extra tips help. Bring a list if you collect, set a budget since visitors joke it is super easy to spend money here, and leave room in the car for a surprise find or two.
Why the Trip Feels Worth It
Some places sell things. Others sell feelings, and 80’s Toys of Princeton leans firmly into the second kind.
Visitors keep using the same simple words: gem, blast from the past, brings back so many memories. One shopper even wished they had a store like it where they lived.
That longing says plenty about how special this little downtown spot has become.
It is not perfect for every budget. New collectibles can cost a pretty penny, and the weekday hours are short.
Still, fair prices on loose toys, a huge selection, and a genuinely kind owner help balance things out for most people.
More than anything, the shop offers a chance to reconnect with a simpler time. For many West Virginians, the 1980s meant bikes in the driveway, cartoons on Saturday, and a birthday toy that felt like the whole world.
Standing in these aisles can bring that back in a heartbeat.
So next time you are near Princeton, stop in. Bring the kids, bring a friend, or just bring your memories.
Then maybe tell someone about the toy you loved most growing up, because stories like that are worth sharing.
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