If you have ever met Daniel Barrett, you probably know one thing right away: he is one of the nicest business owners in Evansville.
Daniel is the owner of Evansville Toys & Games, a store that has become a major destination for collectors, gamers, and families in the Evansville area. While many people now know the business as one of the biggest collectible stores in the state, it had much smaller beginnings.
Before Evansville Toys & Games became what it is today, Daniel originally started by selling collectibles at the Diamond Valley Flea Market. At the time, it was a much smaller operation focused on toys and collectibles, building a loyal customer base one interaction at a time.
What makes the store’s story so unique is everything Daniel had to overcome to get where he is now.
At one point, Daniel and his family lost nearly everything in an arson fire. The fire destroyed over $200,000 in collectibles, inventory, and business materials. For most people, a loss that big would have been enough to make them quit.
Instead, Daniel kept going.
Rather than letting the loss define the business's future, he stayed positive and continued building. Eventually, he was able to purchase the building at 3810 E Morgan Avenue and officially create a permanent home for Evansville Toys & Games.
The grand opening of the new store was a huge success. So many people showed up that the line stretched outside and into the street. At the time, the store was much smaller than it is today, just one room packed with collectibles.
Even in that smaller space, there was already a huge variety of inventory. Customers could browse items from major franchises like Star Wars, Marvel, DC, anime series, video games, and many other collectible categories. Despite being packed into one room, the store had energy and excitement that made it feel much bigger.
As the business continued to grow, so did the store itself.
Daniel gradually expanded into more areas of the building, creating additional retail space and improving organization. Eventually, a dedicated card section was added at the end of the building, giving trading card fans even more reason to visit the store.
But the growth did not stop there.
In one of the biggest milestones for the business, Daniel purchased the former Bosler Furniture building right next door. This expansion gave Evansville Toys & Games access to approximately 15,000 square feet of space.
That officially made it the largest toy store in Indiana.
Today, the grand reopening represents much more than opening a bigger building. It represents years of hard work, setbacks, risk-taking, and community support.
Walking into the new location feels completely different from the early days. Toys and collectibles are more widely distributed, making it easier for customers to explore. The building is so large that maps are handed out to help visitors navigate everything.
The store now offers an experience, not just a shopping trip.
Whether someone is interested in action figures, collectibles, gaming merchandise, trading cards, or nostalgic toys from childhood, there is something for everyone.
Working at Evansville Toys & Games has given me the opportunity to see firsthand how much this store means to people. Customers do not just come in to buy things; they come in and browse, connect over shared interests, and enjoy the atmosphere.
Daniel’s story is proof that setbacks do not have to define success. Losing everything could have ended the business, but instead it became part of a much bigger comeback story.
From a small flea market booth to Indiana’s largest toy store, Evansville Toys & Games has become one of the most unique businesses in the area.
And after the grand reopening, it feels like the story is still just getting started.
