Since 2015, Michael and Beth Turcotte have owned and operated Vintage Games 'n Junque, a large antique and collectibles store on Queen Street East in the Sault’s downtown core.
“My dad owned an antique store when I was a kid, so I was always around it. I've always had a passion for collectibles. That's always been my thing,” Michael told SooToday.
Vintage Games 'n Junque was originally located in a 400-sq-ft. space on Wellington Street West. A year after opening, the business moved to an 800-sq-ft. location on Bruce Street before moving to its current 3,500-sq-ft. space in 2017.
“It is 100 per cent the customers why the store's a success. They’re the ones who show up and support our business and support our events. We appreciate all the customers that we have. Antiques and collectibles are a niche market. It can be hard at times, but the people that are interested in collectibles are very passionate about it,” Michael said.
His customers - many of them regulars - enjoy buying from the store’s large collection of antiques and collectibles such as vintage toys and vintage video games.
“We sell a lot of hockey cards, Pokemon cards, movies, records, almost anything collectible. I've seen families go into video game stores and the mom and dad are like, ‘Hey, can you hurry up and just pick something?’ But our idea was to make sure everyone in the family had something to look at,” Michael said.
Putting that family spin on Vintage Games 'n Junque has paid off.
“I don't want to stereotype, but usually the mom looks at the antiques. The dad is looking at movies and the kids are looking at the video games and cards. I just want everyone to have something to look at and buy and enjoy,” Michael said.
The vast array of merchandise for sale at Vintage Games 'n Junque comes from private individuals or distributors that specialize in collectibles.
Countless interesting items have passed through Vintage Games n’ Junque over the years, but a sample of Sault history is one that remains in Turcotte’s memory.
“I remember years ago we received a collection of photos and letters from the early 1900s. There were no family members left to keep them. They were photos of a parade on Queen Street when soldiers came back from the First World War. That was a cool piece of Sault history. That would probably be the most unique thing I’ve seen here.”
Vintage Games 'n Junque’s success led to Michael launching Collector Con and Steel City NerdCon in 2018.
Science fiction and fantasy fans who attend Steel City NerdCon - many of them wearing imaginative costumes, masks and makeup - purchase artwork, jewellery, sci-fi and fantasy figures of characters such as Darth Vader and King Kong, video games, clothing and comic books from vendors who come from the Sault and across northern Ontario.
Held at various local venues over the years, Steel City NerdCon has become an increasingly popular fall event.
In fact, Michael and wife Beth were married at a Steel City NerdCon event in 2021.
The next Steel City NerdCon will be held Oct. 11 and 12 at Soo Blaster.
In what appears to be a continuation of Michael’s family tradition, Michael and Beth’s son Nathan and daughter Katie, both in their 20s, now work at Vintage Games 'n Junque.
Michael opened a second Vintage Games 'n Junque store - operated by his nephew - in Edmonton in August.
“Edmonton’s so cool. It's like the Ottawa of Alberta in my opinion. It has that small town feel, but it's a bigger city,” Michael said.
He feels that people want the fun associated with antiques and collectibles.
“It really is for all ages. Our demographic can be anywhere from four years old up to 80 years old. When I was a kid there were a lot of toys and different things that I wished I had. So when something from my childhood years comes in I get nostalgic. I get a little excited. I do this because I enjoy it.”
