Convention Organizers Open New Retail Store in Idaho Falls
The shop provides a physical hub for convention attendees to shop for collectibles and craft supplies year-round.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Openings & Closings
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Phil and Dawn Langston have opened POP Fusion, a new retail store in Idaho Falls selling toys, comics, collectibles, and craft supplies. The shop serves as a permanent brick-and-mortar headquarters for their long-running RetroX convention.
Why it matters
The store integrates retail operations with event management, providing the owners with a physical space to drive year-round engagement for their convention brand. By sourcing inventory from personal collections and local consignment, the founders are testing a low-overhead model for niche hobby retail.
The store draws 70% of its initial inventory from the founders' private collections, leveraging a 20-year history of collecting. The owners have operated the RetroX convention for 4 years and now utilize the 2169 East 17th St location to manage operations.
The players
Phil and Dawn Langston
Founders of POP Fusion and long-time operators of the local RetroX convention.
POP Fusion
A new retail store in Idaho Falls specializing in comics, toys, collectibles, and craft supplies.
RetroX
A convention focused on hobbyist culture that has been in operation for over four years.
The details
POP Fusion operates Tuesday through Saturday to support hobbyists with toys, comics, and specialized craft kits like dyed cloth and embroidery. The business model combines traditional retail sales with event promotion, using the storefront as a hub for community networking and ticket distribution for the annual RetroX event.
Timeline
August 2026: POP Fusion held a soft opening.
October 10, 2026: The store officially opened to the public.
June 2027: The shop begins ticket giveaways for the upcoming convention.
2027: The RetroX convention is scheduled for the Mountain America Center.
Market Landscape
POP Fusion represents the growing trend of hybridizing event promotion with permanent retail storefronts. The strategy mirrors industry movements where event organizers anchor seasonal gatherings with year-round physical community hubs.
Operators looking to stabilize niche retail revenue should evaluate the feasibility of anchoring sales in an established events-based community. Leveraging existing inventory from personal or community collections can effectively lower initial overhead costs for new hobby-focused storefronts.
The takeaway
Founders can build brand loyalty by integrating event hosting with high-margin retail goods. Business owners should track foot traffic data during the lead-up to the 2027 convention to determine if a permanent storefront model provides a sustainable return on investment.
What happens next
The store will launch ticket giveaways for the 2027 RetroX convention starting in June 2027.
Further reading
For more local market shifts, visit Idaho Falls Openings & Closings.
More information
Find further details on future event programming at the RetroX convention website.
Source note: This article includes information reported by East Idaho News.
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Do you believe independent hobby stores like POP Fusion help strengthen your local community?
