Gotta catch 'em all: New Fort Myers card shop rides Pokémon's booming popularity

FORT MYERS, Fla. (WINK) — Pikachu, Charizard, and plenty of shiny cards are drawing crowds to a brand-new destination in Fort Myers.

Dynamo Collectibles has opened its new storefront across from the Edison Mall, giving Pokémon fans a place to buy, trade, play and even invest in one of the world's fastest-growing collectibles.

While Pokémon first captured hearts in the late 1990s, the franchise is seeing a new wave of popularity. Some collectors are chasing childhood nostalgia, while others are chasing cards worth hundreds or even thousands of dollars.

Owner of Dynamo Collectibles, Mark Nestico, says the game has grown in popularity since the COVID-19 pandemic, "Pokémon just started becoming more and more of an infatuation in people's lives."

From bargain bins to display cases filled with rare finds, Dynamo Collectibles has something for every type of collector.

"This is a trading card store that specializes in Pokémon and Magic: The Gathering, and building the community around those card games. We have a little bit of everything," said Nestico.

Nestico said Pokémon cards have become more than just a hobby. "There is a very, very real financial aspect to this. It has outperformed the S and P 500 by almost 15% in the last few years," he said.

Still, he believes the biggest draw isn't the price tag. It's the people.

Inside the shop, families rip open booster packs together, longtime collectors hunt for elusive cards, and first-time players learn the game. The store also hosts tournaments, educational events and community play days, all designed to bring Pokémon fans together

"We get nice little kids, we get people in their 60s and 70s. They love playing Pokémon Go. It gives them an excuse to walk around and see neighborhoods or parks, and they love opening packs," said Nestico.

At Dynamo Collectibles, Nestico says the appeal isn't what's in the cases, but the culture.

" I get to live my dream, basically. It sounds cliché, but at the end of the day, I get to come to my own business, I get to sell trading cards, I get to make kids happy, I get to make money, and I get to support my family," Nestico said," It logistically has changed my life in like all the best ways possible.

One of the shop's biggest attractions is its one-of-a-kind rip bar, where collectors can open packs side by side and celebrate every big pull. They also host events weekly, like learning days, mini card shows and much more.

Their next event is the 'Naples Card Show,' on July 19th. Click here to find out more about it: Vendor Application | Join the Show — Get Noticed — Naples Card Show

As Dynamo Collectibles grows, Nestico said he's focused on building more than just a successful business.

"For us, it's about expansion, but doing it in a way that still preserves the culture that we're building here," he said.

Dynamo Collectibles also has other fun card games like 'Magic: The Gathering' and 'Riftbound.'

Whether you're hoping to pull your dream card, learn the game or simply relive a favorite childhood memory, Dynamo Collectibles is proving Pokémon isn't just making a comeback. For many fans, it never really left.