Meet Paul King

Today we’d like to introduce you to Paul King.  

Paul, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
As a child, I always loved superheroes, sci-fi fantasy, and more. I grew up wanting to be superman having powers, wanted to have a lightsaber and use the force like most kids… 

Growing up, I was always a Toys R US Kid. When I was 18, I left for the Navy and ended up in San Diego for my Medical Training, then working at Balboa Naval Medical Center, for a few years, then was stationed at 32nd Street Naval Station on the Missle Frigate USS Sides (FFG-14) During these years, I experienced the most amazing events… fellow nerds at the WORLD’S BEST COMIC CON. SAN DIEGO COMIC-CON 

I was hooked… seeing the famous people, the amazing cosplayers, the artists, seeing the new toys coming out, meeting the authors. And just bonding over all things NERD… 

I said when I get out of the Navy, I want to open a collectible toy shop, unlike any other and make it fun and make it an experience for kids and adults… Also wanted to be involved in fun comic cons to bring this fun to kids/adults all over. 

As I moved around for the next 14 years of my Navy career. I checked out other comic cons and events and collected toys for myself and the shop one day… 

I finally retired from the Navy after 20 years of being all over, back home in Michigan January 2012… I looked for locations to open a cool fun shop… but I saw 2 local collectible shops close up, and I thought my dream was lost. Until a cosplayer gave me the idea of starting from my basement… she helped me create Fett’s Toy Depot in Feb 2015… 

Started out slowly… but took off quickly. And I ended up moving most inventory to storage units. And filling orders and doing cool fun toy shows. I worked with other people on toy shows and mini-comic cons. 

Then more offers starting coming into bigger shows and events. When covid hit and shut the world down, I was offered a storefront for a good price. FETT’S had a real home. Finally, with the help of friends, we made it an amazing place… We do amazing things with our community. 

We have hosted lightsaber nights, Lego nights, make an ornament night, Easter egg hunts, hosted trunk r treats, birthday parties, become a superhero, and much more… 

Fett’s is much more than a shop… It is an experience for kids and adults to come out and have fun. We have a treasure box full of prizes for kids with birthdays and good report cards… we feature games and activities for kids. Our ceiling tiles are painted by local artists. 

It is all about the kids… no matter the age… 

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
No. It has not been smooth… as life is not smooth. Not always able to keep up with the supply and demand. Covid made it hard to get many of the items on order. Toys based on TV showed or movies coming to the shop 8 months after they have been out do not sell. Expenses always add up… need this for business, need that… but we have endured and survived… and flourished.. and also learned a lot… 

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
My day-to-day job is I work at Havens Elementary… I work as the crossing guard/safety patrol for 2 schools, making sure the kids get across the parking lot safety, and the cars drop off the kids safely and quickly. I also and a lunch and recess aide for the school. 

In the evenings, I open up Fett’s Toy Depot, and the fun really begins… 

I think I specialize in kids and people. 

I get along well with kids. My mother said it was because I am on their same level… I enjoy making people happy and bringing people together… 

I think what I am most proud of is the smiles, the laughter, the reactions on the kid’s and parents’ faces at all the events that my friends and I put on. When they say thanks for hosting these events for our kids to do something fun… that is my proudest moment… that WE made a difference. 

Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
Patience…things take time…. and Listen to your friends… Your friends have a lot of great ideas, and you need to listen and never quit learning how to do more and be better… we can always learn. And always add more to The Fett’s Experience to benefit our customers and Nerd family… 

Treat everyone how you want to be treated… 

Contact Info:

• Instagram: fettstoydepot1
• Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/100039496125867/
• Other: https://m.facebook.com/100057101454033/