Retro is back in Fostoria

Childhood memories of playing video games and listening to records are making a comeback in Fostoria. The city is currently experiencing a nostalgic revival with the opening of two small businesses: Collect & Connect and Hooligans Record Store. Collect & Connect, located at 115 W. Center St., is a video game and collectibles store owned by Stephen Scherger. After years of collecting and selling at flea markets, Scherger opened the storefront on Nov. 8, 2025. Scherger explained that while he had originally set a goal in 2024 to open a store within three years, "everything fell into place quickly," allowing him to open much sooner. The shop buys, sells, and trades a variety of items ranging from handheld consoles and action figures to popular Pokémon cards. Scherger credits the store's variety as its unique draw. "We are always getting new stuff in and out on the shelf," he said. Although keeping certain items in stock can be a challenge, Scherger "actively hunts for deals to keep the stock ever changing." Despite skepticism regarding the viability of a game store in the area, Scherger notes that strong community support and a growing social media presence have made the venture a success. "We are here proving that wrong," Scherger said. "We have some of the best customers and we are building relationships with them daily." Scherger shared that social media is consistently drawing in new faces. "We've grown in followers. Fostoria has been awesome to us so we are not going anywhere," he said. Collect & Connect is open Wednesday through Friday from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Just across the street at 118 W. Center St. is Hooligans Record Store, which opened Dec. 5, 2025. Owner Josh Smith transformed the former Alt's Music Center—where he took guitar lessons as a child—into a modern hub for physical media. Smith said the opportunity allows him to "bring new life to a place that meant a lot to him growing up." "It feels special to honor the history of the space while creating something new for the next generation of music fans," Smith said. Smith grew up with a deep love for record stores, viewing them as gateways to music outside the mainstream. Those experiences shaped his musical taste and fueled a passion for helping others discover music in the same way. The store stocks new and used records, CDs, cassettes, and music memorabilia. Smith emphasizes the tangible experience of music, focusing on curation and community over the convenience of streaming. "For an independent record store, the work is about communicating that value—sound quality, artwork, ownership, and community," Smith said. "We're not just selling music; we're selling an experience that streaming can't replicate." In addition to retail, Hooligans offers guitar and bass lessons. Smith plans to eventually host live music and in-store events to create more opportunities for the public to discover new artists. For Smith, the business is also a family affair. "One of the most meaningful parts of running Hooligans is getting to work alongside my daughter every day," he said. "I get to share the music I grew up with and pass along that history, and at the same time she's constantly introducing me to newer artists and different genres of music. That back-and-forth keeps the store feeling alive and reminds me that music is meant to be shared across generations, not locked into one era." Hooligans Record Store is open Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Both businesses remain dedicated to preserving the history of their respective industries while building new connections within the Fostoria community.