By Scott Halasz
BEAVERCREEK — A collectables enthusiast, Todd Koogler owns enough memorabilia to fill a store.
So that’s exactly what he did.
The former general manager at Beef O’Brady’s sports pub in Beavercreek opened the doors to Koogs Collectables in the Fairfield Plaza Wednesday, hawking his items that used to fill up two storage garages.
“Got tired of working 70 hours a week,” Koogler said. “I enjoy this type of stuff and it was time to do it.”
It’s not an entirely new venture for the Fairborn Park Hills High School graduate. When baseball cards were popular in the 1980s, he had a store or two. Koogler has also been known to have booths at various shows while maintaining a solid EBay presence.
“(But) you’ve got to have a place to work EBay,” he said. “It’s hard to go in a garage (and find items).”
So the location at 1271 N. Fairfield Road was the perfect place.
“I felt comfortable with the (Beavercreek) community,” Koogler said. “I think (the location) is easy to get to. There’s nothing around here like that.”
Koogs Collectables indeed fills a seemingly untapped niche.
In addition to the autographed baseballs and action figures, Koogler has packs and packs of baseball and football cards. And he has some rare trading cards from television shows like “MASH,” “Happy Days,” “Growing Pains,” and “Knight Rider.”
Collectors can also find the usual suspects such as OSU and Cincinnati Reds bobbleheads, Hot Wheels, NASCAR, beer signs and trains. Some items are one of a kind, others have replacements at the ready when the item sells.
“I just like collectables,” Koogler said. “If I see something I like (I buy it),” he said.
Koogler estimated that he spent between $50,000 and $60,000 building up his collection. But he said will have reasonable prices, based on the market. Autographed balls come with a certificate of authenticity.
“My goal is to be forthright,” Koogler said.
And to empty his storage garage.
