The force is with Fort Worth. The city’s newest collectibles shop is Holocron Toy Store, which carries nothing but Star Wars merchandise. It is located at 3613 West Vickery Blvd., which is a whole lot closer than a galaxy far, far away.
Brightly lit and neatly organized, the 4,464-square-foot store caters to hardcore Star Wars buffs who know exactly what a holocron is (a holographic data storage device from the film series), as well as to casual fans and newbies who don’t know a wompa from a wamp rat.
“We wanted to bring something for everybody across the board, whether you’re 3 years old or 11 years old, a beginning collector or an experienced collector,” says the store’s general manager, Rob Fisher. “Or you’re just someone who likes Star Wars.”
As its name implies, Holocron carries mostly toys (though you’ll find housewares and other ephemera, as well). In the children’s area, there are Star Wars-themed LEGOs, Micro Machines, Hot Wheels, and other items meant to be taken out of the package and played with, including action figures from the latest movie in the franchise, Star Wars: The Last Jedi.
For the adult collector, there are items ranging from original movie posters, to rare figures graded by the Action Figure Authority, to vintage play sets and spaceships (including the Millennium Falcon) still in the factory box. Some of the items date back to 1977, the year the original Star Wars movie hit theaters.
“I can’t tell you how many people have come into the store and said, ‘Man, I had that as a kid, and I had that as a kid,’” Fisher says. “They’re reliving that moment, that excitement that they felt at that time in their life.”
“Reliving that moment” can be a bit pricey, as some of the rarer items, such as a Revenge of the Jedi poster (the movie was retitled Return of the Jedi before it came out), cost thousands of dollars. Carded figures from the Star Wars: Droids animated series go for around $1,500 each.
However, shoppers can find bargain items in the vintage area, as well, such as rows and rows of Kenner action figures from the original 1978 line beginning at just $6 each (out of the package, of course).
To help stock its shelves, Holocron purchases collectibles from customers, including toys from such similar franchises as Star Trek and Battlestar Galactica. However, it has no plans to offer those items for sale in the store. Rather, they use them to trade with other businesses for more Star Wars paraphernalia.
Holocron is the only store in Tarrant County that carries nothing but Star Wars products, but it’s not the only one in North Texas. Order 66 Toys, now located at U.S-.75 and Stacy in Allen, opened in 2011 in McKinney. On Jan. 28, from 12 noon-6 pm, Order 66 will host Star Wars alumni Dickey Beer, who played Boba Fett during the battle of the Sarlacc pit. For $25, customers can get an autograph and a selfie with the actor.
Not to be outdone, Holocron has plans for similar events in the future, including celebrity autograph signings, game nights, and movie marathons. They also plan to expand the business.
“We want to open at least five more stores,” Fisher says. “Houston, Austin, San Antonio — wherever there are Star Wars fans is where we want to go.”
It's a galaxy of rare finds for collectors.
