ONTARIO — The mall hum will fade into the background on March 14.
Instead, shoppers will hear plastic cases snap open, vendors call out deals and collectors gasp when they spot a game they haven’t seen in years.
Ready Up Game Store will host its third annual trade show, filling the Ontario Center with vendors, collectors and families searching for rare finds.
Co-owner Joey Abdelatif said organizers drew inspiration from traveling trade shows across the Midwest.
“We’ve been to some of the biggest trade shows in the Midwest,” Abdelatif said. “Traveling to events is a lot of work, we figured we could probably just start our own here. So we did.”
The event will run from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. inside the Ontario Center, with tables stretching down the center aisle.
A game store built on collectibles and community
Abdelatif co-owns Ready Up Game Store with his brother Zach. The business opened its Ontario location in December 2023 after building a customer base in Marion.
The store sells new and used video games, consoles, collectibles, action figures and memorabilia, and it also allows customers to trade or sell their own gaming items.
Abdelatif said the trade show reflects that same mission by giving collectors a place to connect, buy, sell or trade.
“For our first show we had over 1,000 people come,” he said.
Abdelatif said the atmosphere stands out more than anything else.
“My favorite part is the energy of everyone,” Abdelatif said. “Big game store owners, big resellers, regulars — the guys who come in all year waiting for one game we never have in stock — then they can find it here.
“It’s very fascinating,” he added. “But my favorite thing is definitely the energy. I love people.”
The show attracts people of all ages, including longtime collectors who sell personal collections they’ve held onto for years — Abdelatif recalled one customer who brought in a collection he never expected to sell.
“He sold the collection to a vendor for $1,000,” Abdelatif said.
The trade show has also featured live music in the past, with vendors like Metronome Music contributing performances.
(Video of live music at the Ready Up Game Store trade show. Provided by Joey Abdelatif.)
Friendly atmosphere and community spirit drive trade show success
While all tables for the trade show have sold out, vendors can still purchase a spot for $30 and bring their own table. Vendors must complete registration and payment before the event.
Vendors can register online, email or in person at Ready Up Game Store.
Early setup will be on Friday, March 13 from 4 to 7 p.m. and Saturday starting at 8:30 a.m.
Parking and entry for customers are free.
Abdelatif said he expects between 80 and 100 vendors, though that number can change before the event.
He added attendees can bring tabletop games and play during the event, with specific space often being provided for open play.
“One of the reasons this show works is because the vendors treat each other so well,” he said. “We want to keep this a friendly, community style event.”
He noted many friendships have been made between vendors due to the event.
Ready Up Game Store also gives Special Olympics Ohio a free spot so representatives can raise funds during the show.
Abdelatif said the trade show has grown into something bigger than a marketplace.
“My goal is to do three more this year because it has been such a success,” he said.
(Photos from previous Ready Up Game Store trade shows. Provided by Joey Abdelatif.)
