The Ypsilanti Courier
A Heritage Newspaper
Weekly Publication
'The Rocket' blasts off downtown
Novelty shop sells candy, tee shirts, toys, furniture, piñatas…
By Dan DuChene, Staff Writer
PUBLISHED: November 30, 2006
It's hard to put a finger on The Rocket, a new store in downtown Ypsilanti. But that's okay because fake fingers are for sale at the unique novelty and gag shop.
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"Candy and novelties is the best way to describe it," said Paul Balcom, the store's co-owner.
Located in the former NAACP headquarters, the store is on the south side of Michigan Avenue, just west of Huron Street. The store opened its doors on Nov. 11, two months after the owners acquired the space. Balcom said the time was used getting the building ready.
"We had to do a lot of work on the ceiling and walls," Bolcom said. "We did everything ourselves, except we contracted the floors."
Bolcom, who has lived in Ypsilanti for 20 years, is a post-graduate student at EMU. He is studying business and accounting. Bolcom's partner, Eli Morrssey, is also attending EMU for a master's degree.
The Rocket features a wide variety of bulk candies on its west wall. From giant jawbreakers to Swedish fish, the selection is pretty inclusive.
"I think we have more novelty candy than what you'd consider penny candy," Bolcom said.
The store sells gummy human hearts and Black Lung candy cigarettes.
"I think we're a little bit more focused on the novelties and house wares than a five and dime," Bolcom said.
The store sells toys, clothing, dishware, posters, clocks, furniture, trinkets and odds and ends. Bolcom said the store is aimed at attracting all age groups.
"We've tried to create an environment were everybody in town will feel comfortable," Bolcom said.
The store's top-selling items are tee shirts with an Ypsilanti theme. Bolcom said they have been dubbed Ypsicentric.
"I know it's fitting, they are," Bolcom said of the label his shirts have been given. "I just don't like the word."
Customers have a choice between three Ypsicentric shirts; a shirt featuring the water tower that reads, "Tower Power," a shirt featuring a police car that reads, "Pearl Street Blues," and a shirt that reads, "Normal Street Knock Out."
Bolcom said there are more Ypsicentric shirts on the way. "We'll be filtering them in every couple of months or so," he said.
The Rocket's Ypsicentric shirts run $3 cheaper than the other tee shirts for sale, at $16.99 for an adult size and $14.99 for a child size.
"We thought since it was the city, we want to make it affordable to the people that are here," Bolcom said. "We're hoping to incorporate a made in Ypsilanti section."
Other than his shirts, Bolcom said his favorite line of products is the piñatas. The store sells several different piñata varieties, such as spiders, unicorns, monkeys and robots.
"We're going to be moving full-forward with the piñatas," Bolcom said. He said they will be sold year-round.
The store also features several licensed product sections. Coca-Cola, Pillsbury, Betty Boop and John Deere all have their own sections. There are also several other licensed products in the store.
"We have a pretty expansive Hello Kitty and Sponge Bob area," Bolcom said.
The Rocket could also brag about its selection of lunchboxes. From Spiderman to Dr. Pepper and the Last Supper to pirates, the lunchboxes are everywhere.
"They make and excellent wrap," Bolcom said. "People get two gifts in one."
Although the store has not been advertised, Bolcom said the buzz around town has already attracted many people to his store.
"Little kids, EMU students, car show attendees and Haab's patrons will all have to restrain their pocketbooks from going broke here," said Brian Vosburg, Ypsilanti's DDA director about the Rocket. "I personally am going to have to be careful in this store so as to not spend too much money."
Launda Powell, an Ypsilanti resident, said, "It brings out the kid in you," while shopping in the store last weekend.
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