Dizzy’s Comics & Toys: A Great Place to Find Your Balance

How do you find your balance in life?

It can be a tough thing to do, especially this time of year. The weather is cold, the days are dark and events are few. And yet, we all have the same pressures of work, school and home that need to be managed all year around.

In Bay Village, there’s a new oasis of inspiration and imagination. Dizzy’s Comics & Toys. It’s a great place to find your equilibrium!

Dizzy’s Comics and Toys is located in Dover Junction Mall, just inside the main entrance at 660 Dover Center Road.

The store is the life-long ambition of owner Josh Aslaksen, long time collector and hobby enthusiast. An Avon Lake High grad, Josh and his family moved to Bay a few short years ago from Avon.

“I’ve been collecting as long as I can remember” says Josh. “Comics, Star Wars, action figures, records. The 70’s, 80’s and 90’s had so many classic toy lines and cartoons to enjoy as a kid. Video games, music and movies really shaped and influenced our pop culture vibe. Dizzy’s is truly a reflection of all of that.”

“Plus, we love the small town community feel. Bay’s parks, outdoor activities and neighborhoods are a great place to raise a family or start a small business!” he says.

Dizzy’s Comics & Toys is home to all sorts of collectible treasures!

Everything from modern comic books to a wide variety of vintage back issues are on display throughout the store. Shoppers will find lots of neatly organized short boxes and racks of comic books to browse through. But Comic books are just part of the store offerings.

Star Wars, GI JOE, Funko Pops and Marvel Legends figures are all on display and showcased.

Collectibles, novelty stuff and books are offered for collectors and readers of all ages.

Josh, why did you open Dizzy’s Comics & Toys?

“Some of my best memories as a kid were going to card shops, the toy stores, comic book shops, record stores, skate shops. Every shop had a special vibe or unique feel to it. As a youngster, it was Star Wars and GI Joe figures. I was always a toy guy with a comic book problem,” he smiles. “Music and collecting has always been such a huge part of my life from an early age. I’ve never grown out of it.

“The focus for Dizzy’s is trying to bring all of those different passions and collectibles into one store.

“It’s about creating a vibe or a connection with our customers, young or old. It’s easy to feel inspired and nostalgic when spending time in our store.”

Josh, tell us more about your personal history as a collector?

“We have only been open for a few short months, but I’ve personally been collecting since I was a kid.

“I started actually selling toys and comics and football cards in my late 20’s as a means to support my hobby interests and clear out some of my totes and boxes of collectibles I had built over the years.

“When our 19 year old son Liam was little, we were buying Godzilla figures and Star Wars figures all over again. The hobby had turned into a side business. Toy shows, comic book shows, flea markets and pop up shops for years and endless weekends setting up and packing the car was challenging with working full time and keeping up with a young family.

“Dizzy’s is finally the home base of operations for casual and serious collectors alike.”

Josh, how did you come up with the name, Dizzy’s Comics & Toys?

“The name Dizzy’s was literally a spur of the moment decision. Simple one word and pretty easy to remember. One day our 12 year old son mentioned something about Dizzy or was watching a video and I said that’s it. That’s the store name. Zero meaning behind it!”

Josh, what is the most important thing you want people to know about Dizzy’s Comics & Toys?

“It’s important to offer a wide variety of collectibles and personable customer service at a competitive price,” says Josh. “Sometimes it’s tough because prices aren’t always in the small shop owners’ control. We do our best to keep up with online stores and current market comps.

We always greet our first time customers like they’re a regular or friend of the store. We offer our help or opinions if needed, but we’re never pushy or up-selling. Sometimes people just wanna browse and unwind from the outside noise of the daily grind. Whether it’s buying comics or that unique gift for someone special.”

Josh, what do you want to say to the person coming to your store for the first time?

“We hope Dizzy’s is a place to make that connection and become a regular stop for collectors of all ages,” says Josh. “Moving forward, we are planning to have a store website sometime soon. And introducing some vintage and new vinyl records. More display cases and a new display table as a focal point as well. Our growth is a reflection of our passions and relationships built with our new and regular customers and friends of the store!”