Tooele County nerds now have a store of their own.
The Tooele Nerd Store opened its doors on Wednesday. Located at 213 N. Main in the strip mall north of Utah Avenue next door to Rockstar Pets, the Nerd Store is full of comic books, trade paperbacks, vintage toys, pop figures and other nerdy paraphernalia.
Roger Prows, owner and self-professed nerd, believes there are enough nerds in the county to keep the store open.
“Everybody is a nerd in some way or another,” he said. “A nerd is just somebody who is very passionate about something. You’ve just got to find out what they are passionate about.”
Two year ago, Prows and his brother parlayed an initial $400 investment in comic books and sports cards that they sold at a local fair into enough money to open a Nerd Store in West Valley City.
Following on the heels of the successful West Valley Nerd Store, Prows is eager to open the Tooele store in his hometown.
Prows is not a new Tooele County retailer; he owns Rockstar Pets, the Nerd Store’s neighbor.
Along with everyday nerd collectibles, as an authorized CGC store, the Nerd Store also deals in high-end nerd stuff like CGC autographed comic books.
CGC, Certified Guarantee Company, is an independent and impartial third-party grading service for comic books, magazines, and other collectibles.
Along with selling nerd things, Prows will reach out to the community and become a center of family activity, he said.
“We will host family game nights with board and card games in the store,” he said. “We will also have game nights targeted at singles and adults.”
The Nerd Store also has a free comic library with a large selection of comic books. A comfy couch provides readers with the opportunity to peruse the library before investing in comics, according to Prows.
He also offers a collections consultation and evaluation service at the Nerd Store.
The inventory on the Nerd Store’s shelves is expected to turn over frequently, according to Prows.
“Once an item is sold it will be replaced, but most likely by something else,” he said. “The store merchandise will be fresh and constantly changing.”
The Nerd Store is open Monday through Friday from noon until 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday the store is open from noon until 9 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 6 p.m.
This Saturday, the Nerd Store will hold a grand opening sale with in-store specials, a bounce house in the parking lot, and prizes in conjunction with Rockstar Pets.
For more information call the Nerd Store at 435-249-0438.