Tampa Bay toy collector sells software business, opens store for 'toy geeks' St. Petersburg Times By Mark Albright, Times Staff Writer Posted: Aug 24, 2009 05:41 PM Since selling his software business, Scott Dias has been living the dream setting up a toy store for big boys. The 34-year-old collector is molding a business from his passion for vinyl models of cheesy Japanese monsters, Saturday cartoon characters and gadget films like Star Wars and Tron. "This will be heaven for toy geeks," he said. We're not talking a $3.99 Godzilla mass-molded in China. This is a shop for fans who know a zig from a cammo Zag. The store will brim with hand-painted, hand-molded limited-edition toy artist creations of the likes of Mothra and Mummy Boy that go for $50 to $300. Some featured works are from Tampa designers Kathie Olivas and Brandt Peters. Center ring is Brian Flynn, a toy artist who grew up in Lutz but parlayed his Super7 magazine on the subject into an underground toy store in San Francisco. Flynn is slated for a 7 p.m. Saturday appearance at the opening with his wife, graphic designer Dora Drimalas. Dias signed a deal with Flynn to put the second Super7 store at an obscure retail spot between the Old Northeast Tavern and a laundromat at 720 2nd St. N in St. Petersburg. "It's close to our home and the rent's low," explained Dias, who figures toy nerds, many of whom are linked by Internet sites or his presence on toy auction sites, will beat a path there. But in a concession to wife/co-owner Lauren Eichinger, Dias added mass appeal items like $9 Domo Kun plush and $19 Ugly Dolls to Flynn's themed T-shirts and wallpaper sporting all the dead bad guys from Star Wars. Dias, who holds an art history degree from Florida State and studied at Harvard and later the London School of Economics, two years ago sold his interest in Millennial Business Solutions, which maintains touch screen register systems at many local restaurants. Getting organized included seven trips to Japan to line up suppliers and the San Diego Comic.com convention. Dias thinks he's got time for Super7 to get off the ground. "If Millennial keeps growing, I'll have enough residuals from the sale to last six years," he said.
Thanks Guys! We've certainly been working very hard to make it a success. Just confirmed that we'll be provided with cases of beer from Pabst Blue Ribbon, and that Darth Vader and a Sandtrooper will be there to make sure shit doesn't get too out of hand. It's now officially a party!
Sure sounds like a fun time, Scott! Wish I could visit the shop, but I'll have to be content with having visited S7 SF. Portland or Seattle could sure use a S7!
Scott - now that you've got a commitment from Pabst, you also need a band. And nuthin' goes better with PBR than Deadbolt. (You gotta love their intricate choreography and lavish stage show) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8pgALg4D2eA
Scott, I'll get that PBR down to you this week (before Saturday). By the way... the fixed gear community will be out in "FORCE" for this.
That would make it quite the party for sure. Vinoy park is two blocks away and I've become pretty tight with the city as of late, so maybe our 1 year anniversary we can throw a big shindig! Thank you for all of the help, Todd. We are going to have a lot of fun this weekend.
Also, for those in the area, we are going to be doing the "Good Morning, Tampa Bay" show on Fox13 on Tuesday, September 1st between 7 and 9 a.m., broadcast live from the shop. If you have Tivo, make sure to set it now.
For those that can tape it, I hope we can get a stream so whoever is not in the area can still watch it.
Ok, 1 day & counting................. When is everyone rolling in, are we doing a tradefest, lunch, ect, Is everyone SUPER7 EXCITED????????
I'm as excited as hell and I'm not even going to be there. Have a great day guys. Take lots of pics please.
So funny I clicked on this today (Friday) - my bands opening for Deabolt here in P-town tonight!! Weird lattice of coincidence. Have a good party Scott. If I ever get down that way again I will surely stop by!! Oh and all who are visiting - do yourself a favor and go to the Dahli museum!! Amazing collection of original work there!
I'm so stoked, I've had to double up on my meds! ( ...not really, but my heart is all aflutter) I plan to get there before/around 2:00
Whoa, Doc. You're going to touch the cloth of Harley and company?!? We're not worthy. You have fun too (and what's the name and sound of your band? If you're opening for DB, it must be great). Yup, we've read a few places that the Dali museum is worth the price of admission so we're going to hit that either this trip or next. And Scott - if you're reading this - do we need to be there bright and early for tickets? I'm putting a radar detector in my g/f's car tonight so we can blast over there tomorrow in less than 4 hours. This is going to be fun!
Yes, I definitely recommend stopping by the Dali Museum if anyone has time. The Gray Pearlecent Mummy Gator proto will be sold first come first served, so if you are interested in one I would make sure to stop by at least a little while beforehand. We will also have the Camo Zag raffle, as well as a large selection of other toys available. After the show, we will probably be headed to a local bar to hang out if anyone wants to join us. See you all there!
Scott - wishing you & Super7 the best of luck on your opening...... & I hope to make it down there one day this winter
Damn - I was hoping to be able to squeeze in a trip this weekend, but with the wife and I sick, among other things, it doesn't look like its going to happen. I hope someone posts lotsa pics of the opening!
