Walk into any big-box retailer today and the toy aisle feels... sterile. It’s all sleek plastic, digital integrations, and "blind boxes" designed more for dopamine hits than actual play. But then there’s Time Warp Toys and More. It's different. Honestly, the moment you step into a place like this—specifically the well-known haunt in Waverly, Ohio—the air changes. It smells like old paper, slightly dusty plastic, and pure 1985.
Vintage is huge right now. You know this. I know this. But there’s a massive gap between buying a "re-issue" of a Stormtrooper at Target and finding an original, carded 1977 Kenner figure that has survived decades of basement floods and attic heat. That’s what we’re talking about here.
What exactly is Time Warp Toys and More?
It isn't just a shop. For many, it's a preservation project. Located at 10026 US-23 in Waverly, this specific spot has become a pilgrimage site for collectors across the Midwest. They don’t just do toys. They do "more"—which in the world of professional collecting means everything from vintage lunchboxes to old-school wrestling magazines and those weirdly heavy die-cast cars your cousins used to throw at you.
Collecting isn't just about hoarding stuff. It's about a specific type of archeology. When you're digging through a bin of loose G.I. Joe accessories, you're looking for a very specific piece of your own timeline. Maybe it’s the "Cobra Commander" hood you lost in the sandbox in third grade. Finding it again? That’s the "time warp" effect.
The psychology of the hunt
Why do we care about 40-year-old plastic? Psychologists often point to "restorative nostalgia." It’s the idea that we’re trying to recreate a version of the past that felt stable. If you can hold the toy, you can hold the memory.
But there’s a business side to Time Warp Toys and More that people often overlook. This isn't just a hobby. It’s an asset class. Prices for graded vintage toys have skyrocketed since 2020. A pristine, "AFA graded" Boba Fett can pull five figures. Even "beaters"—toys that were clearly played with—have value. Collectors call this "honest wear." It shows the toy was loved. That’s a weirdly poetic way to describe a He-Man figure with no armor and a chewed-on hand, but it's the reality of the market.
It’s not just Star Wars and Barbie
If you think a shop like this is only for the "big" franchises, you're wrong. You’ll find the obscure stuff. I’m talking about M.A.S.K. vehicles with the spring-loaded wings that actually still work. Or Dino-Riders. Remember those? They were objectively the coolest toys ever made—lasers strapped to a Triceratops. What more could a kid want?
Then there’s the "and more" part of the name.
Often, this includes:
- Old movie posters that haven't been color-corrected by a computer.
- Retro gaming consoles like the NES or the Sega Saturn.
- Vinyl records that aren't just Taylor Swift re-pressings.
- Local historical ephemera.
Basically, if it’s cool and it’s old, it’s probably there.
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The reality of the vintage market in 2026
The market is shifting. We’re seeing a massive influx of 90s and early 2000s toys hitting the "vintage" bracket. It makes some of us feel old, sure. But for a 25-year-old, a pristine Tamagotchi or an original Pokémon Blue cartridge is just as much of a relic as a 1950s tin robot is to a Boomer.
Places like Time Warp Toys and More have to balance these generations. They need to have the 1960s Barbie outfits right next to the 1990s Power Rangers Megazords. It’s a delicate ecosystem. If the shop leans too hard into one era, they lose half their foot traffic.
Why physical shops beat eBay every time
Look, eBay is great for finding a specific part. But it’s clinical. You search, you bid, you pay, it arrives in a bubble mailer. There’s no soul in that.
When you go to a physical store, you get the "talk." You talk to the owner about why the paint on the 1984 Transformers is different from the 1985 run. You find out about a local collector who’s selling off a massive estate. You get to actually see the condition of a box. Is that a "vein" on the cardback or a full-on crease? On a screen, it’s hard to tell. In person, under the fluorescent lights of a crowded shop, the truth comes out.
The "Wall of Carded Figures"
Every great toy shop has it. The wall. It’s a floor-to-ceiling display of toys that were never opened. There’s something haunting about a toy that never fulfilled its "purpose" of being played with. It’s been trapped in a plastic bubble for forty years.
Collectors call this "MOC" (Mint on Card). For a shop like Time Warp Toys and More, these are the showstoppers. They’re the pieces that draw people in from three states away. Even if you aren't going to buy a $400 carded Indiana Jones figure, you want to stand in front of it. You want to remember seeing it on the shelf at Sears in 1982.
Dealing with the "fakes"
As prices go up, so do the scammers. High-end fakes—especially in the Star Wars and Pokémon worlds—are becoming a nightmare. This is why expert-run shops are vital. They know how to spot a "re-pro" (reproduction) accessory from a mile away.
Original weapons and capes are often made of a very specific type of plastic that has a certain "snap" or floatability. If you’ve spent twenty years handling these things, you just know. You can’t get that expertise from a Facebook Marketplace listing.
How to start your own "Time Warp" collection
Don't just buy everything. That's how you end up with a garage full of junk and a frustrated spouse.
Start small.
Pick a specific line. Maybe you only collect "Year One" Transformers. Or maybe you just want every version of the Batmobile ever made. Focus gives your collection value.
- Check for "completeness." A vehicle with all its original stickers and missiles is worth four times as much as a naked one.
- Watch the sun. UV light is the enemy of vintage plastic. It turns white plastic yellow and fades beautiful box art into a muddy gray.
- Network. Talk to the folks at shops like Time Warp. They know who’s buying and who’s selling.
- Don't buy for the investment. Buy because you like looking at the thing. The market might crash tomorrow, but a cool robot is still a cool robot.
The community aspect
These shops act as community hubs. You’ll see a 60-year-old man explaining the nuances of Lone Ranger dolls to a 10-year-old who’s looking for Minecraft figures. It’s one of the few places where the "generation gap" actually closes. We all understand the joy of a new toy. That feeling is universal, whether it’s a wooden train or a complex piece of Japanese vinyl.
Moving forward with your collection
If you're serious about diving into this world, stop by a local spot. Whether it's the famous Time Warp Toys and More or a small-town equivalent, the experience is the same. It’s about the hunt. It’s about the "I forgot this existed!" moment.
To make the most of your next visit, bring a list of your "holy grail" items—the three or four things you’ve wanted since childhood but never got. Ask the staff if they have any "backstock" or items not yet priced. Often, the best stuff is still in a box behind the counter waiting for its turn on the shelf.
Keep your eyes peeled for "survivor" items: toys that still have the original price tags from defunct stores like KB Toys or Zayre. Those little stickers are a secondary market all their own now. They add a layer of provenience that collectors go crazy for.
Go find that one thing that makes you feel like you're ten years old again. It’s probably sitting on a shelf right now, waiting for someone to recognize it.
Actionable Next Steps for Collectors
- Audit your current stash: Dig out your old bins and check for "branding" and "date stamps" (usually found on the leg or back of a figure). This tells you the exact year and manufacturer.
- Invest in "Star Cases": If you find a high-value carded figure, buy a protective UV-resistant acrylic case immediately. This preserves the "card" from curling or fraying.
- Visit in person: Skip the online cart this weekend. Drive to a physical vintage toy store. The "more" in the name often refers to items that never make it to a website because they sell too fast to locals.