Walking into Crazy Cool Collectibles in downtown Mooresville feels like stepping into someone’s incredibly cool basement—if that basement happened to be curated by a pop culture obsessive with impeccable taste.
A life-sized velociraptor greets visitors at the entrance, while deeper inside, a meticulously crafted replica of the Simpsons living room invites photo opportunities that have become social media gold.
But what makes this collectibles store truly special isn’t just its Instagram-worthy displays—it’s the philosophy behind them and the unique shopping experience that owner Brad Kalmikoff has created.
More Than Just a Store
Crazy Cool Collectibles opened in March 2023, occupying a deliberately weathered space on the corner of Main and Iredell streets. When Brad found the location, he specifically asked the landlord not to renovate anything. The exposed wires, worn floors, and industrial feel were exactly what he wanted—a backdrop that would make his carefully curated collection of pop culture memorabilia feel authentic rather than polished.
“You’re gonna come to a place that you’ve never seen before,” Brad explains. “I make it a point whether it’s people selling me stuff or stuff from my house or just I’m bored during the day and I’m like, I’m going to reach out and buy some new cool stuff to get in here. So you could always expect to come in here and see something different every time you come in.”
This constant evolution is central to the store’s appeal. Unlike traditional retail spaces with static inventory, Crazy Cool Collectibles functions more like a living museum where the exhibits change regularly. Brad draws from his personal collection, estate sales, and customer consignments to ensure that repeat visitors always discover something new.
What You’ll Find
The store’s inventory spans multiple generations of pop culture, with particular strengths in:
- 80s and 90s nostalgia: From vintage action figures to classic video games
- Pokemon cards and collectibles: Brad has developed expertise in authentication after being “duped a couple times” by fakes
- Horror memorabilia: A dedicated back section features everything from classic movie props to modern horror collectibles
- The Simpsons collection: Beyond the famous living room setup, Simpson memorabilia is scattered throughout the store
- Star Wars and sci-fi items: Spanning multiple decades of the franchise
- Vintage toys and games: Items that trigger childhood memories for visitors of all ages
What sets the inventory apart isn’t just its breadth, but Brad’s approach to curation. He deliberately stocks only items he understands and can speak to authentically.
When he opened, he avoided comic books because he didn’t want to be “this guy who’s just opening a business where it’s all about money where kids are gonna come in adults are gonna come and look at comics and talk to me about comics, and I don’t even know what I’m talking about.”
The Experience Economy in Action
Brad has designed Crazy Cool Collectibles around what he calls “the experience.” The store’s tagline, visible on the front window, reads “It’s not just a store, it’s the experience.” This philosophy manifests in several ways:
Transparent pricing and education: When customers bring items to sell, Brad sits down with them, opens his computer, and shows exactly what their items are worth and what he’s willing to pay. This transparency builds trust and educates customers about the collectibles market.
Photo-worthy installations: The Simpsons living room wasn’t built for marketing—Brad just always wanted one. But it’s become a customer magnet, with visitors regularly taking photos and sharing them on social media. Brad has turned this into an informal promotion, giving away bar stools to customers who post photos from the couch.
Intergenerational appeal: The store deliberately stocks items that appeal to different age groups, creating shared experiences for families. “The best part is when the it’s little girls always and there could be like five, they run back to the horror room. They love horror,” Brad notes, describing how the space brings different generations together around shared interests.
Expert consultation: Brad’s background in sales, combined with his genuine passion for collectibles, allows him to provide expert advice. He’s even been known to teach young customers how to sell items on eBay themselves rather than selling to him, prioritizing education over immediate profit.
Business Model and Philosophy
Crazy Cool Collectibles operates on a hybrid model combining retail sales, estate buying, and online sales through eBay. This diversification provides stability while allowing Brad to maintain the store’s unique character.
The business launched debt-free, which Brad considers crucial to the customer experience. “You can tell when you go into a place and you tell the vibe of the owner might not be great because you’re not buying something,” he explains. “You get that kind of vibe because he’s got bills to pay and it’s going to be a different experience.”
This financial independence allows the store to prioritize customer experience over immediate sales pressure. Brad can afford to spend time with browsers, provide detailed explanations, and even refer customers to competitors when appropriate.
Community Impact
Despite being located slightly outside the main downtown Mooresville district, Crazy Cool Collectibles has become a destination that draws visitors from across the region. The store’s unique approach has earned recognition from local business networks and created partnerships with neighboring businesses.
Brad actively supports other local entrepreneurs, offering his storefront for food truck events and collaborating with nearby businesses like Stardust skateboard shop and Bae’s Burgers. He also founded a highly successful Facebook page that highlights Mooresville small businesses.
The Future of Unique Retail
Crazy Cool Collectibles represents a growing trend in retail—businesses that succeed by offering experiences that can’t be replicated online. In an era where most consumer goods can be purchased with a few clicks, the store’s value proposition centers on discovery, education, and authentic human connection.
The constantly changing inventory means customers can’t simply order what they want online; they have to visit to see what’s available. The expertise and personal attention provided by Brad can’t be automated or scaled through technology. The photo opportunities and social sharing create organic marketing that feels authentic rather than manufactured.
For visitors to the Lake Norman area, Crazy Cool Collectibles offers something genuinely unique—a chance to step into a carefully curated world of pop culture nostalgia while supporting a local business that prioritizes experience over efficiency.
Whether you’re hunting for a specific collectible, looking for the perfect gift, or just want to see something completely different, the store delivers on its promise that “you could spend all day here and you’ll never see everything.”
Crazy Cool Collectibles
348 N Main St
Mooresville, NC 28115
(312) 303-0060
Meet Brad in episode 171 of The Best of LKN podcast!
About the Author:
Jeff Hamm is the creator and producer of The Best of LKN podcast, blog, YouTube channel, and email newsletter.
When he isn’t working, you can usually find him boating, running & cycling local greenways, and taking walks with his dogs Sam and Maisy.
Jeff Hamm
Real Estate Broker
Lake Norman, NC
www.LKNreal.com
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