Big Fun returns to Coventry Road for final ‘swan song’

In November 2023, Steve Presser inaugurated the first Big Fun pop-up shop at his former Coventry Road location. Almost as soon as the doors opened, Presser had customers asking if he’d be back for a second go-round in 2024.

“I said I hoped not, because I hoped this space would be rented again,” says Presser.

While Presser’s wishes for the Cleveland Heights’ shopping district were not met, Big Fun is back on Coventry for a holiday sequel. The much-adored novelty emporium, which shuttered in 2018, opened its pop-up the day before Thanksgiving for a six-week “swan song” scheduled to end Jan. 12. 

Big Fun will be open  Monday through Saturday from 12-7, and Sunday from 12-6, offering its usual assortment of new and vintage toys, gag gifts, t-shirts, retro video games, and naughty greeting cards. Christmas and New Year’s Eve are the only days the store will be dark. 

“I can’t tell you what it means to be back in the saddle,” says Presser. “For almost 30 years, this was my little fiefdom. A place where I can get away with having fun and making people happy. It’s nice to take a curtain call.”

However, it takes a “Herculean effort” to embody the high-energy spirit of Pee-wee Herman, Willy Wonka and Dr. Seuss, Presser notes. This year, the veteran entrepreneur and his team offloaded 1,000 boxes of goods into the 3,400-square-foot storefront – a four-day process that left Presser exhausted yet energized.

Presser, who lives with wife Debbie Apple-Presser a few blocks from Coventry Road, sold a fair amount of his old stock in 2023. Popular items this year include original works from Planet Joy, a studio founded by Apple-Presser that offers individuals with mental and physical differences the opportunity to create art. 

Lucha libre masks, vintage rock ‘n’ roll posters and various colorful tchotchkes comprise the remainder of Presser’s wares. Over the decades, Presser collected these varied items with a singular goal in mind.

“Big Fun has always been known as being fun but affordable,” says Presser “You come in shopping and leave smiling, that’s always been the concept.”

There and back again

Presser opened his first Coventry Road shop on April Fools’ Day 1991, staying for 14 years before relocating across the street. Boundless love from the neighborhood did not save Big Fun from the ravages of e-commerce, forcing Presser to close his shop for what he believed would be forever.  

Following a COVID-shortened stint at the Pinecrest shopping complex in Orange alongside Sweeties Candy, Presser still yearned for the interpersonal interactions of face-to-face retail. The daily sight of his vacant space on Coventry made the pop-up decision an easy one, he says.

“I thought it would be a win-win for the building and the rest of the merchants on the street,” Presser says. “Not having that stimulation and communication with customers really takes it out of you emotionally. This is something I created, and was able to ride the wave. When there’s no wave to ride, you get thrown into the sand.”

A successful second return to Coventry Road does not mean Presser will commit to a third iteration. High rental and labor costs are enormous obstacles for a temporary store, let alone a full-time brick-and-mortar comeback. 

Ultimately, any independent toy store that launches today will face significant challenges in competing with online shopping platforms, says Presser.

“COVID accelerated that dependence of ordering online – you could even get toilet paper sent to your house,” he says. “I love having that communication with people, but it’s about how many people are coming through your doors.”

Although Presser contemplates wholesaling or becoming a vendor for another retailer, for now he’s content with reviving fond memories and good times at his old store.  

“I love what I’m doing –  it’s great to be back here among family and friends,” Presser says.