CENTERBURG — Brian Elkins remembers his first toy like it was yesterday. It was a Batman and Robin action figure.
“I remember being in Children’s Palace in Columbus on Morris Road and looking at the wall of toys,” Elkins said. “That’s where it all started.”
Elkins maintained his toys in better condition, so much so that his parents often joked he displayed them rather than played with them.
“I’ve been collecting since I was a little guy and am still doing it,” Elkins said.
Elkins, along with his wife Nicole Elkins, opened The Toy Mill in Centerburg on July 26.
The storefront sells toys, collectible figures, sports cards and video games from the SNES to current favorites.
Shoppers can find Funko POP figures, WWE wrestling cards, Barbies, American Girl dolls and more.
There are vinyl records to choose from along with Blu-rays and DVDs.
The Toy Mill is located at 108 N. Hartford Ave C, where Ampersand Candles & Oils was located.
Elkins collecting bug found Nicole with a similar passion for Strawberry Shortcake.
Items in the shop are reflections of Elkins’ childhood like the WWE trading cards on display.
Hours of Operation
- Sunday CLOSED
- Monday CLOSED
- Tuesday-Wednesday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Thursday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Friday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Saturday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
“Wrestling was a big thing for me growing up,” Elkins said. “My favorite wrestler was always the Ultimate Warrior — something about the intensity of that dude running into the ring and the cool face paint.”
The Star Wars figures also echo back to the late 1970s.
“In Star Wars, I didn’t like Like Skywalker,” Elkins said. “Han Solo was my favorite.”