MANSFIELD — The Operation: Fandom team is breaking in its new space with sales, giveaways and live music from June 28 to 30.
Owners Josh and Beth Lehman said the 36 W. 4th St. location doubled the space the shop had between City Grille and The Clubhouse.
The owners moved into the space in March and celebrated with a ribbon cutting on Friday. Commissioner Tony Vero said he recognized some collectibles from his childhood.
“You walk into the story and you feel happy,” Vero said. “It’s very cool and nostalgic for those of us who grew up in the ’80s and ’90s.
“Thank you for your investment and your growth, and may the Fourth Street be with you.”
Operation: Fandom has merchandise from Star Wars, Harry Potter, 80s and 90s pop culture and collectibles from current TV shows and media.
Beth Lehman, a former art teacher, painted a Harry Potter castle with her woodworking class to display in the store’s Harry Potter corner. The store also features murals from Allison Pence when the space hosted Uncommon Nostalgia.
“Our tech class had a CNC router, so they laid it all out and cut it for me,” Beth Lehman said. “Harry Potter’s definitely my favorite fandom, and our new books and curiosities room is just getting started, so that’s been a lot of fun.”
Operation: Fandom and Blackbird Records are both based in Wooster. Operation: Fandom started in 2018 and Blackbird opened two years later.
The Mansfield location is now the largest of the three stores.
“We moved to Mansfield last August as well, so it’s our closest store and probably our most fun project,” Lehman said.
“What I really like about our Wooster and Medina stores is being right on the square, and you can walk by and pop in if you see something you like.
“Being close to the Carrousel and Richland Academy now, I think that will happen more in Mansfield.”
Blackbird Records buys Y105 record collection
Blackbird Records sells new and used records, CDs, cassettes, turntables and other accessories.
Lehman said the radio station’s vinyl collection had a combined 10,000 records between 45 RPM and 33 RPM pressings.
“We’ve been working for two or three months to get through those and really fill up our record space,” he said.
Blackbird Records is hosting a special buy two, get one free sale on all $1 and $3 records for the grand opening weekend.
There is also a small “books, curiosities & apothecary” room off of the Blackbird Records side of the store.
Blackbird Records opens books, curiosities room
Special sales for the grand opening weekend include buy two, get one free Funko pops, 25% off trading card singles, 25% off Star Wars merchandise and 40% off G.I. Joe merchandise.
Customers can also enter their name and phone number into a drawing for a $100 shopping spree Friday through Sunday with a new winner pulled each day.
Live music and an open mic night will be from 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday. Text 330-464-2199 to join the open mic schedule.
The store has extended hours this weekend of 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.
Customers can stay updated on Operation: Fandom and Blackbird Records on Facebook or Instagram.
The shop’s regular hours are from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday–Thursday and Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
