Meet Brian Largaespada | Owner – The Nostalgia Den

We had the good fortune of connecting with Brian Largaespada and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Brian, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I had originally worked at a game store in Sunset Place that people loved! There was nothing like it for miles. It was a big space, a great selection, and in a good location.

I loved working there, made it as manager and I made that place shine to the point that people started to think I was the owner of the business.

Sad truth was, that the owner was making his own mistakes and the store eventually failed.

It made me think, when is it my turn? How can I do what said game store did? but better!?

I eventually decided I’ll do this myself, and started selling video games on eBay and locally, which then turned into a shopify store through a registered business now known as The Nostalgia Den, which I’m very proud to own alongside my girlfriend and amazing partner Ayleen.

Our goal is to create a great space to come shop, have fun and build a community.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
The Nostalgia Den is something I started alone, I had a lot of moral support from friends and family and that rocked!

My friend Michelle did the awesome logo, my friend Julio helped me brainstorm a name and we went with The Nostalgia Den which he chose.
Finally my girlfriend Ayleen came on board and started being more hands on with the business starting with her awesome photography, and hidden marketing skills that even she didn’t know she had. She is now half owner.

The Nostalgia Den started as an online video game store, and then has evolved into something more.

We sell toys, video games, antiques and Japanese imported collectibles.

What makes us different from other similar stores is that we put a lot of time and care into all of our products.

Most of the stuff I receive are antiques, vintage toys that need some tender love and care. I clean everything that comes my way. If a toy needs a repair, it gets done, all our video games and systems are cleaned inside and out.

I sometimes offer customer repairs and refurbishments during local events.

Why? Well, I love the history of these old games and toys, they belonged to someone once and sometimes even tell you a story. These toys can date as early as 1930’s? They’ll have markings, names, wear & tear that makes you wonder how they ended up like that.

It’s always fun to learn about these old things and pass that over to everyone else. People are surprisingly fascinated by these too, especially if it’s of familiar characters and properties like Super Mario, and Sesame Street.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Whoooo we love going Izziban over in ft Lauderdale for some good Korean BBQ, then head over to Shells Kava Bar for a nice drinking experience (if you don’t know that Kava is, they do a great job of helping you understand what it is) Tate’s comics is close by and so is we got the beats records.

We’d also take them to Goblins Heist Comics, The Cozy Corner for some home style country food.

Finally I can’t have someone visit Miami without driving over to Arcade Odyssey for an awesome gaming experience.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Juan Navarro over The Goblins Heist Comics has been a great supporter.

Ayleen and I were trying to find our next move, and as we were exploring comic and game shops, we came across the goblins heist, where we met and spoke with Juan.

He mentioned an awesome shopping event he was going to host and we decided to ask how we could be involved.
That was only the beginning of our relationship with him and his shop.

We’ve been invited to every event he’s done since, and I was even shocked to hear that they shouted us out for shoutout Miami.

He’s given us great advice and feedback and has pushed us further in our journey to open our own brick and mortar shop.

Website: www.thenostalgiaden.com

Instagram: @thenostalgiaden

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-nostalgia-den/

Twitter: @thenostalgiaden

Facebook: Facebook.com/Thenostalgiaden

Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCjduvgLbsU5wTdj2aLt35_g

Other: Linktree: https://linktr.ee/thenostalgiaden

Image Credits
Ayleen Lanza