The Buy Local Lowdown is a section where local merchants in the Heights are profiled.

Big Fun is truly one of Cleveland’s most cherished local businesses. Providing toys, collectibles and other novelties from past generations, Steve Presser (owner and operator of Big Fun) not only has a deep passion for his products but also for his community.

Steve, a Cleveland Heights native and former stock broker, started Big Fun 17 years ago. When asked about how Big Fun got started, Steve explained that he had always been a collector. Steve was a well-known garage sale junkie with a particular interest in pop culture oddities.

Steve’s inspiration for Big Fun started to take hold in 1982 when he visited a little collectible store in Chicago. The shop literally overwhelmed Steve and he had to sit down -

“The best way to describe it was like the first time you saw the Wizard of Oz in color from black and white. Wow! It was beyond awe.”

Eight years later, Big Fun was born.

Steve described wanting to build a business that was a throwback to the good ole’ days when you had a lot of “Mom & Pop” style businesses. One of the most important values Steve has built his business around is community involvement. His dedication to the community is apparent through all the local initiatives he is involved in. He and his wife Debbie participated in the building of the Coventry School Playground 12 years ago. Steve is also a member of the Coventry Village Special Improvement District.

Another important aspect of being involved in the community is supporting other local businesses. Steve couldn’t agree more.

“Being an Independent Business Owner, especially in today’s economy with all the big superstores and big box retailers, it’s refreshing for me to see companies like Motorcars because you guys really get it. You’re active in the community and the service you provide your customers is excellent”.

Steve has a sign customers see when leaving Big Fun that reads ‘Thank you for supporting your local independent business’. His passion for the “buy local” philosophy is strong. Some of the benefits he stresses for buying local include -

• Customers service is one of the most important parts of any business and no one does it better than local businesses. Knowing customers on a first hand basis and creating relationships with other members of the community is priceless.
• Steve explains about the “special feeling” of knowing that you’re supporting a local business who will turn around and support other local businesses in the community, make donations and actively participate in local events.

Trevor Gile, General Manager of Motorcars Honda recently wrote an article in the Heights Observer on the benefits of buying local entitled “Why Buy Local.”

Big Fun has won many local awards and is one of Cleveland’s favorite toy and collectible stores. Steve describes Big Fun as the “safe place on the Monopoly Board.” -

“When you’ve had a really bad day, it’s nice to say I used to have one of those, or oh look at that G.I. Joe, I used to play with that, or Care Bears, oh my gosh, I used to have one of those.”

Just as Steve was overwhelmed in that little collectible shop in Chicago, thousands of Clevelanders are thrown back to a different time in American history when they enter Big Fun. Filled with collectibles from the last 5 decades, Steve has one of the best selections of vintage toys and novelty items in America.

“There are items in our store that any store can carry, but we mix it up and bring in stuff that no one else carries. What makes it even more impressive is our collectible lines, our onesies. The 60’s, 70’s and 80’s stuff. We really push to offer a really unique array of items”

One of the biggest things that separates Big Fun from it’s competitors are the what Steve refers to the “onesies”. These are not reproductions of classis toys, but rather the originals. How does he stay stocked on these originals? He is continually searching and buying old toys like original Transformers or G.I. Joes.

Big Fun has recently branched into the T-Shirt business, fun baby gifts and Cleveland collectibles. All are doing extremely well according to Steve.

Clean out your attic for cash - Big Fun is always buying your old toys and comics.

Big Fun is one of over 40 Merchant Discount Program members. All Motorcars Rewards Program members are entitled to 10% off their purchase at Big Fun. Check our growing list of Merchant Discount members.

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