Meet: Jason Sharrock and Courtney Keffer, owners of the Oddbox video game store in Newcomerstown.
Location: 124 W. Main St., Newcomerstown
Hours: Friday – 12 p.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday – 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. closed Monday to Thursday and Sunday.
E-mail: [email protected]
Facebook: The Oddbox
Website: http://theoddbox.tcgplayerpro.com
Events: Weekend tables open for games, tournaments.
Services: New & Used Video Games, Movies, Comics, Collectibles, Lego, Matchbox Cars, Board Games, Magic: The Gathering and more. Tournaments and gaming events take place on Friday evenings. We offer minor repairs to gaming systems in addition to disc polishing and cleaning, as well as an appraisal service.
Tell us a bit about yourself, your family and the birth of the Oddbox.
Jason: I am engaged to Courtney Keffer and our wedding is approaching very soon. Our families are both local in this community. We currently reside just outside of Newcomerstown, and we both love games, and everything that goes with the business. I collect comics, collectibles, games and gaming systems etc. since many years.
Shortly after graduating from Ridgewood High School, I began to settle down regularly at the Dover Flea Market with many of the same items that I now wear at the Oddbox. My collection was extensive and selling the extras was the start of a full time career.
In 2013, I was driving through town on my way home one evening and noticed that there was a building open on Main Street. After immediately contacting the owner, I quickly became a business owner on Main Street and stayed in the same location until just a few months ago.
Courtney is employed by Culligan Water in New Philadelphia, but when not working full time she is my right hand man and very involved in the Oddbox business. In our free time, we also like to take extended weekend trips.
You recently purchased the Family Dollar location. Why did you decide to invest to own a building on Main Street in Newcomerstown?
My business had grown rapidly and I was running out of space in my current location. At the same time, the Family Dollar property (also located on Main Street and a few doors down) was available at public auction. Courtney and I were prepared to invest more in our business and had hopes to purchase the building and move the Oddbox to the Family Dollar location.
Fortunately, we were the top bidders, so we are now the owners of the old Family Dollar site. It was a great move – the region was a clean slate. There is so much more room to present our many offers. In addition, we have a great place separate from the store for the gaming events and tournaments that we have on Friday evenings. We think the main street is comfortable and friendly, and we hope to see more businesses occupy some of the open buildings â€.
What types of services does Oddbox offer its customers?
I buy and sell online and in stores. I spend most days of the week finding new and older items for sale and offering minor repairs to gaming systems in addition to polishing and cleaning records. The Oddbox can rate items and locate highly sought after collectibles that you are looking for as well. You will find just about any game or gaming system you desire in our store.
Additionally, we have comics, movies, card games, pop culture items, swords, collectibles, Matchbox cars, Legos, board games and Magic: The Gathering, etc. . We have gone from a 1,500 square foot building to approximately 6,500 square feet with the move, which allows us to have an even larger inventory for our customers. Our Facebook page is constantly updated with new and featured articles.
What would you like to highlight for us?
Courtney and I are very happy with the new home for our business. Our customers come from all over and I’m happy to say that some of the local events happening in the area have brought us even more new customers to Oddbox.
The game is steadily growing in popularity, and that’s something COVID-19 certainly hasn’t tampered with in any way. It is human nature to find ways to relax and have fun when you have free time. Many people think that gambling, whatever it is, is a great way to relax, relieve stress, and keep the mind fit and healthy. Games and gaming devices offer so much choice, from the easiest to the most difficult games, so there is something for everyone. New offers are constantly being introduced, and I see these trends continuing for the future.
Another feature is that you can play alone or with others. Statistics show that 6% of gamers have started using a new system since COVID started. It is an affordable, easily accessible, and comprehensive pastime in addition to social interaction or just a quiet moment for the gamer.
If you haven’t stopped by the store to see what The Oddbox has to offer, feel free to drop by Friday from noon to 10 p.m. or Saturday from noon to 8 p.m. You can also send me a message on the page Facebook Oddbox if you are looking for something in particular, and I’ll be happy to help â€.
KRISTI WILKIN
