Today we’d like to introduce you to Melanie Libra.
Hi Melanie, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Sure! Keith was a stay at home dad to our two children, Josephine and Windsor, and I had a career in Supply Chain Management. While at home Keith slowly began selling his old toys and collectibles. We found that this could be a fruitful future for us and began sourcing toys through Craigslist, garage sales and FB Marketplace. Once our house and garage began filling up with toys, I suggested we open a storefront, even if it only served as an expensive office space. I left my job of 10+ years and we invested all of our savings and retirement funds into getting TBT off the ground. It was a scary decision on paper but we dove in and took the risk. Once the doors opened toys began coming to us! We had our Westland shop for 4+ years and recently moved to our new Livonia location in October of 2025 (which was another nail biting decision!). This new spot allows us to have Classes, Birthday Parties and Meet & Greet events. We’re still growing into the space and are excited to see where it takes us next!
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely hasn’t always been a smooth road! We started the business with no formal retail experience and learned a lot through trial and error. Growing from just the two of us into a larger operation has brought challenges with staffing, managing growth, and figuring out when to take the next big risk. Moving to Livonia was a huge leap, but we’ve learned to be comfortable being uncomfortable. Most of our biggest challenges have ultimately led to our biggest opportunities. We’re forever grateful to our two kids and our Time Blaster Crew for understanding the vision and running with it!
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Time Blaster Toys began as a vintage toy store, but quickly became much more. The larger Livonia space has allowed me to begin sourcing items that I think are fun and exciting. Moving into modern toys, gifts, clothing, outrageous décor, novelty etc. I have always been a fan of the strange and unusual. The weirder, the better! The events space has given me an opportunity to put together hands-on classes and experiences that I would have enjoyed attending as a kid or young adult.
Outside of the merchandising and event planning, this new space has given me free rein on the shop’s visual aesthetics. Funky lighting, the museum, gigantic front planters, my signature Penny & Pokémon card floors, tchotchke placement, color schemes etc. I like to live and work in a colorful space and being a business owner has allowed just that.
What I’m most proud of is seeing the shop become a true gathering place. Watching neighborhood kids ride their bikes over, grab an ice cream, and head into the arcade with a handwritten sheet of cheat codes makes every bit of the blood, sweat and tears worth it. Our children get to experience a little piece of the 80s and 90s childhood we loved, and I hope we’re creating a place that can bring those same feelings to generations to come.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
Some of my favorite childhood memories are playing Dream Phone with my siblings or sitting around the table playing Rummikub at family gatherings. It’s not the games themselves, but the people and memories attached to them. I believe that’s why toys and games still mean so much to me today. They have this ability to instantly take you back to a certain time, place, or person.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://timeblastertoys.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/timeblastertoys/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/timeblastertoys/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/timeblastertoys/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@timeblastertoystv/videos
Image Credits
AKCR Photo
