Walking into a store and feeling like you’ve actually stepped back into 1994 is a rare vibe. Most vintage shops feel like dusty museums or overpriced boutiques, but High 5 Retro Guys in Oklahoma City hits differently. It’s basically a massive, immersive living room for people who never quite got over the thrill of unboxing a new Kenner action figure or finding a rare Hot Wheels treasure.
If you’re hunting for a specific Funko Pop or just want to see a wall of vintage wrestling figures that’ll make your inner ten-year-old scream, this is the spot. Honestly, the "guys" behind the name aren't just running a business; they’ve built a legitimate community hub that feels more like a clubhouse than a retail space.
What High 5 Retro Guys Actually Does
Located at 405 N Meridian Ave, the store has gained a reputation for its themed rooms. It isn't just shelves of stuff. It’s organized chaos in the best way possible. They specialize in the "big four" of modern collecting: Funko Pops, Hot Wheels, vintage toys, and comic books.
But here is the thing that most people don't realize until they visit: they aren't just a physical storefront. They’ve leaned hard into the modern "Whatnot" era of collecting. If you aren't familiar, Whatnot is a live-stream auction platform where people buy and sell in real-time. The High 5 Retro Guys crew runs weekly sales there, which is kinda how they’ve managed to stay so relevant when other hobby shops are folding.
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They also lean heavily into the community aspect. You’ll see them at local conventions, and they often host trade days where you can bring your own bins of "junk" (that we all know is actually gold) and swap with other collectors.
The Experience Inside the Meridian Ave Store
Most people talk about the atmosphere. It’s welcoming. You know that weird, gatekeepy vibe some comic book guys give off? You don't get that here.
- The Layout: It's divided into specific themed areas. You might be in a Star Wars corner one minute and surrounded by 80s wrestling legends the next.
- The Staff: They actually know their stuff. If you're looking for a specific year of a Redline Hot Wheel, they won't look at you like you're speaking Greek.
- The Vibe: It’s bright. It’s loud. It’s nostalgic.
One of the biggest draws lately has been their diecast selection. While many stores treat Hot Wheels as an afterthought, these guys treat them like fine art. They have rare finds, "treasure hunts," and those specific mainline cars that you can never seem to find at a regular big-box retailer because the "scalpers" got there at 6:00 AM.
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Why the "Retro" Market is Exploding Right Now
It’s easy to say "nostalgia sells," but there’s more to it. We’re living in an era where people want physical things again. Digital games are cool, sure, but you can’t hold a digital file. You can hold a 1985 G.I. Joe Snake Eyes figure.
High 5 Retro Guys has tapped into the "investment" side of hobbies too. Collectors today are savvy. They know that a mint-condition Funko or a rare variant comic isn't just a toy; it’s an asset. The store helps bridge that gap by offering layaway options—something you almost never see in the vintage world anymore—and giving fair market advice on trades.
Addressing the Common Misconceptions
People often confuse them with other "High 5" brands. There was a famous R&B group called Hi-Five, and a massive YouTube production company called Hi5 Studios (now Spellbound). To be clear: the High 5 Retro Guys are the toy and collectible experts out of Oklahoma. They aren't making "Dope or Nope" videos or singing 90s hits. They are the ones digging through estate sales and bulk lots to find that one obscure Transformer you lost in a move twenty years ago.
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Some critics mention that the store can feel "cluttered." Well, yeah. It’s a toy store. If a vintage toy shop is too organized and clinical, it loses the soul. Part of the fun is the "hunt." Finding a loose action figure at the bottom of a bin for five bucks is a core memory for most collectors.
Pro-Tips for Visiting High 5 Retro Guys
- Check their Facebook first. They are super active on social media. They post "new arrivals" constantly, and in the world of high-end collecting, the good stuff disappears in hours.
- Bring your trades. They are usually open to looking at what you have. Just make sure your stuff is clean and organized; nobody wants to dig through a trash bag of broken Barbie legs.
- Ask about the "Whatnot" schedule. If you can’t make it to OKC, their live auctions are the next best thing. It’s a great way to see the inventory without the drive.
- Look up. Seriously. Some of the coolest items in the shop are displayed high on the walls or hanging from the ceiling.
What’s Next for the High 5 Crew?
The shop has survived the post-2020 hobby boom-and-bust cycle by staying diversified. While other stores bet everything on Pokémon cards (which saw a massive price correction), these guys kept their hands in everything.
They are currently a staple of the Oklahoma City hobby scene, and they’ve been expanding their reach through regional "Toy Cons" and better online integration. They represent a shift in how small businesses survive: by being a place where people actually want to hang out, not just a place where they spend money.
If you’re in the OKC area, or even if you’re just passing through on I-40, it’s worth the detour. Even if you don't buy anything, just walking through the themed rooms is a trip. It reminds you that being an adult doesn't mean you have to stop liking the things that made you happy when you were a kid.
Actionable Next Steps for Collectors:
- Audit your attic: Those 90s toys might actually be worth the "High 5" treatment. Look for marks like "Hasbro" or "Mattel" and check recent "Sold" listings on eBay to get a realistic price.
- Join the community: Follow the High 5 Retro Guys on Facebook or Instagram to see their trade day announcements.
- Visit in person: Stop by 405 N Meridian Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73107. Their hours can vary, but they are typically open from noon until early evening.