Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
Some grown adults walk into a toy store with a short list and walk out with a bag that does not match it at all. In Crown Point, a shop on a busy stretch of road has built a following among collectors who drive more than two hours just to browse its racks.
Action figures, comics, video games and vintage finds fill the shelves, and the price range stretches from pocket change to serious collector money. Here is a look at what makes this Northwest Indiana stop worth a weekend trip, what to expect inside, and a few details to plan around before you head out.
Finding the Shop on East Summit Street
Crown Point Toys and Collectibles sits at 1189 E Summit St, Crown Point, IN 46307, in Lake County in the northwest corner of Indiana. It is classified as a toy store, though the shelves hold a lot more than that label suggests.
Collectors in the area point to it as a top stop for toys and collectibles in Northwest Indiana. The shop holds a 4.6 star average across more than 400 ratings, which is a strong showing for a store built around such a niche hobby.
A nearby game shop shares the space, and the current location is larger than the previous one. That extra room has let the inventory spread out and given browsers more floor to wander.
Hoosiers who have never heard of it tend to be surprised by the size of the operation. From the outside it reads as an ordinary storefront, which makes the contents all the more unexpected once the door opens.
Consider this first section the map pin. The rest of the article covers what is waiting past the entrance.
A Move That Gave the Toys More Room
Bigger is better when your inventory keeps growing. Shoppers who knew the earlier location say the newer space is larger, and the change shows in how the stock is laid out.
Regulars describe the store as well organized, with enough aisles to keep things from feeling crammed. That matters in a place where the goal is to find the one figure missing from a shelf at home.
The move also brought a game shop next door, which adds another reason to linger. A family can split up, with one person hunting for figures and another checking out games.
Long-time customers mention coming back for five years or more, and some have been shopping here far longer. That kind of loyalty tends to build when a store keeps growing and still stays friendly.
For a spot that looks modest from the road, the layout is a pleasant surprise.
Action Figures by the Rack
Action figures are the headline act here, and they are the most talked-about item in the shop. Racks hold boxed pieces, while a large used section covers loose figures from many series.
Shoppers say the loose figure selection is bigger than at most places. Each one is bagged, so there is no need to dig through bins or worry about paint rubbing off.
Fans of specific lines have found what they came for. One collector of monster movie figures left with a well-priced Godzilla, and another drove home with four new additions to a vintage Star Wars collection.
High-end lines also turn up, including Sideshow and Hot Toys pieces for those with bigger budgets. That puts the shop in a useful middle ground between the bargain bin and the convention table.
Bring a want list, and leave room for a surprise or two.
Comics, Games and Other Shelf Surprises
Toys might get top billing, but the supporting cast is strong. Comic books fill a decent-sized section that shoppers call well priced, and one collector said it ranks among the best he has seen outside a convention.
Video games also have a place on the shelves, and some regulars name the shop as the best video game stop in the area. LEGO sets and movie figures round out the mix.
The range means a visit can work for mixed groups. A parent after a childhood favorite can browse one aisle while a teenager checks the games in another.
One shopper did wish for more anime goods and manga, so that is one category where the selection runs lighter. Still, the same shopper handed out five stars anyway.
Overall, it is a store where a quick look can turn into an hour.
Bins for Small Budgets and Young Collectors
Not every treasure comes with a big price tag. The shop keeps a cheap comic and toy section that works well for younger kids, and a $5 and under bin that families single out as a favorite.
That setup gives children a way to pick something out for themselves without a major purchase. It also turns a store full of grown-up collectibles into a kid-friendly outing.
One parent mentioned that a son lives to come back, drawn by popular action figures. The parent even found a few things for himself, which tends to happen here.
A past shopper described the range as running from ten dollars to well over a thousand. Stock changes, so what is in the bins on one day may not be there the next.
Starting small and working up is a perfectly good plan.
Nostalgia From the 80s, 90s and 2000s
Gray hair and graying sideburns are no barrier to feeling like a kid here. One shopper described the experience as walking back into childhood, and the stock supports that.
An earlier shopper noted that new releases are limited, while toys from the 80s, 90s and 2000s fill much of the store. There is also a mix of items that could pass for attic finds.
That focus is what makes the place feel like a true retro shop. Shoppers say it is everything they want a retro store to be.
The vintage emphasis also means familiar names can turn up in unexpected places. A figure that vanished from your shelf decades ago may be waiting a few aisles over.
Bring a friend who grew up on the same cartoons, because the memories tend to come in bunches.
Prices That Collectors Call Fair
Pricing comes up again and again among collectors, and most call it fair. Used figures in particular get praise from long-time customers.
Some shoppers note that prices go up and down. A few items may cost a bit more than elsewhere, while others come in lower than usual.
One regular offered a caution about phone inquiries. A quoted price turned out to be different in person, and some figures were not mentioned on the call.
The same person still plans to keep shopping here, but a visit in person is the safest way to check stock and cost.
That is useful advice for anyone planning a long drive for a specific piece. Calling ahead is fine, but confirm details at the counter before you commit.
Even so, many shoppers say they leave with something new almost every time.
Selling Your Own Stash
The shop does not only sell. Its website says it buys old toys, and a form lets people upload pictures of what they have.
One person who used that form said the team went through everything and made an offer that felt fair. They even referred the seller to another buyer for items they did not want.
Walk-ins are welcome too. A first-time seller came in with no appointment, spoke with staff right away, and talked with the owner, who gave a good cash offer with no lowballing.
That kind of openness may explain why the store has earned trust among local collectors. Those who sell come away saying they would return to buy or sell again.
Anyone cleaning out a closet full of old toys has an easy first stop.
The People Behind the Counter
Friendly staff is the most mentioned topic among regulars, far outpacing any single product category. Shoppers describe the team as kind, helpful and ready to answer questions without hovering.
Staff let customers browse at their own pace. One shopper said the counter employee even wished him luck on a dryer repair, a small gesture that stuck.
Care with merchandise gets noticed too. A buyer said employees handled both the other figures and his own purchase with great care.
Not every moment is perfect. One traveler who drove a long way was disappointed that no restroom was available, and another shopper wished for brighter lighting.
Those notes aside, the overall mood is welcoming, which is a big part of why people come back.
Planning the Drive and a Soft Verdict
The shop is open Tuesday through Sunday from 11 am to 6 pm and closed on Mondays. Hours may vary, so check before you go, especially around holidays.
Plan on a little extra time, since the store is big and the stock is deep. Several collectors drive about two and a half hours each way and say the trip is worth it.
Bring a want list, some cash if you plan to sell, and patience for a few aisles of temptation. Consider a restroom stop on the way, since the shop reportedly does not offer one for customers.
For Hoosiers who love nostalgia, Crown Point Toys and Collectibles at 1189 E Summit St is an easy recommendation. It rewards curiosity, welcomes beginners, and gives longtime collectors plenty to chase.
Go for the figures, stay for the memories, and expect to leave with more than planned.
