ONTARIO — A new gaming and collectibles store aims to offer customers deals on gaming consoles, action figures and more.
Based in Marion, Ready Up Game Store opened a storefront in the Richland Mall in December. Co-owners Zach and Joey Abdelatif noticed multiple customers were visiting from the Mansfield area and wanted to open a closer location.
Zach Abdelatif said he and his brother grew up in Marion but would regularly visit the Richland Mall.
“There used to be a game store where we are now, so that’s been a fun nostalgia trip,” he said. “It seemed like a great opportunity to open another location, especially right across from the Action Mania store.”
Abdelatif said the Ready Up team plans to host gaming tournaments every Friday and other free events.
“Come hang out without pressure to buy anything, just pick up a controller and have fun,” he said.
“We’re excited to be in Richland County, and the Mansfield-Ontario community has welcomed us with open arms.”
General manager Adam Ponziani, from Bucyrus, said the team is working to start gaming tournaments and events in the Richland Mall.
“People really like the tournaments at the Marion location, so we’re hoping to use the community room here too and get some of that started,” he said. “They’re really fun to do with a group of friends or families.”
Ready Up sells new and used consoles, video and board games, posters and action figures. The business also offers store credit or cash for customers who want to trade their consoles, gaming collections or memorabilia.
Ready Up stocks consoles, collections & accessories
Employee Dan Murray said the Ontario location has already seen some repeat customers in the month since it opened.
“I think opening right before Christmas definitely helped with that,” he said. “There’s been some families coming in, and higher-end collectors, too.”
Ponziani said the store’s top-sellers so far have been PlayStation 2 and Wii consoles, as well as Nintendo 64s.
“We’ve mostly been selling older equipment, but occasionally stock PlayStation 5s and the newer Xbox models,” he said.
Ready Up Game Store is on Facebook. The store’s phone number is 419-709-8325. It is located on the first floor of the mall across from Action Mania toys and collectibles, and north of Ashcroft and Oak.
Ready Up is open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday–Saturday. The store will participate in the Mansfield toy, collectible and sportcard show at Fairhaven Hall on Feb. 4. Admission is $2.50 per person and children under 8 get in free.
Ponziani said the Ready Up team plans to attend and host other community events as well.
“Our owners really stress collaboration and getting involved in the community,” he said. “We all succeed when we support each other.”