POP ROC: Your Destination for Pop Culture Collectibles and Nostalgia!

Funko Pops, Pokémon, Captain America Originals, and so much more!

POP ROC is the place to go when you’re looking for collectibles, comics, coffee, and conversation.

Hey all! Angelina here! When I first met Jason, I learned he was a business owner, liked to travel, was tough, and had the hots for me. When we had our first date, it was at his apartment and he cooked me dinner. What I wasn’t expecting to learn that night was how much of a big kid this big man is. I looked around and saw toys, well, a lot of Captain America figures lining his shelves. I also learned he was really into art, video games, cooking for people, singing, and had some irresistible dance moves. Fast forward a few years. I knew while we were dating that he was into pop culture and collectibles and so was his family and would pop up at shows. There was one show, in particular, he participated in after we were married where he came home and shared his earnings. I stopped looking at his scavenging and pop culture collectibles as a hobby and started seeing it as a way we could support our family by doing things we love. Fast forward a few more years. Here we are. Our mission: To share childlike faith, joy, and wonder with everyone with a core focus on service. We are a place where family and friends can gather over things that bring them joy. Jason and I are from two different generations. Yup. I get to crack old guy jokes. But seriously. There are times when he makes references to things I have no idea what he’s talking about. And I’ll nod and acknowledge, but truly, I don’t get it. I want to, and I know our kids are growing up in this environment, which means I have to pay attention.

So here’s what I’ve learned over the years of hanging out with my husband. 

What Is Pop Culture?

Simply put, pop culture, short for popular culture, are things that a mass majority of people consider popular and change over time with different generations. Pop culture in the 1950s was very different from the 2000s. In the 1950s, pop culture was influenced by people like Elvis and Lucille Ball. Poodle skirts, roller skating, the introduction of the television, and “rock and roll” were popular. 

In the early 2000s, artists like Britney Spears, Backstreet Boys, and *Nsync topped the pop charts. Technology advancements with the iPod, mobile phones, PlayStation 2, and internet gaming like The Sims were huge! Some pop culture collectibles and icons have an incredibly long shelf life... like Pokémon for example. Right now, Pokémon is hotter than ever. In 2021, you have kids and their parents, like my son and husband, collaborating together to collect cards, which were first introduced to market in 1996! 

What Is Considered a Collectible?

Collectibles often go hand in hand with pop culture. According to Investopedia, collectibles are an item worth far more than it was initially sold for because of its rarity and/or popularity. The price for a particular pop culture collectible usually depends on how many of the same items are available and its overall condition. Common categories of collectibles include antiques, art, toys, coins, comic books, and stamps. Most recently we’ve seen digital collectibles like NFTs take the collecting world by storm. 

At POP ROC, our retail focus is on specifically comics and collectibles. While comics are part of collectibles, we also offer toys such as Funko Pops, action figures (old & new), pop culture games, Pokémon, and so much more!

Our Pop Culture and Collectibles Love Story

We’ve had a long-standing love for all things pop culture. Jason grew up with well-known collectors in the Rochester, NY area. His uncle, Mark Macaluso, was a respected pioneer in the comic and trading card world with his company Fantasy Trading Card Co. (FTCC). Jason launched his first business at the Avon Flea Market selling collectible cards and toys at the age of 13! Over the years, he and his father would travel to trade shows, toy shows, and comic cons. As an adult, both father and son would enjoy setting up at toy shows, like the annual toy show at Village Gate that would be hosted by the infamous late Tom who owned Yankee Clipper.

As a child, I would travel with my family back and forth to the Midwest. Every trip would include scavenging the huge antique shops located on interstate 70. Almost every weekend would include a trip out to the Avon Flea Market and stops at little antique shops and barns. I grew up with a big family that had a diverse palette of interests. Before coming into my own interest in pop culture and collectibles, I was influenced by the sounds of Nirvana and Smashing Pumpkins, Madonna and Paula Abdul. I played Pokémon on a Gameboy and Super Mario on a Nintendo 64. And now, my own little family is deep into this stuff.

Some of Our Favorite Things We’ve Carried or Sold

Some of our favorite pop culture collectibles we’ve sold or have had over time are the Funko Pops. You can find several Funko Pop shops around Rochester NY, however, our team does a fantastic job at getting those hard-to-find or exclusive pops. Jason also had an original Captain Action: Captain America. We’re also really happy we’ve been selected as one of the few comic shops in the world to sell Bad Idea Comics. That has been a very cool opportunity for both us and our loyal guests.

Another favorite are the board games! We used to carry a variety of Funkoverse board games that were fun, came with pop collectibles, and made great holiday gifts. We also enjoy having board games available for our guests to play. They bring folks together around the table.

Gift sets for the holidays are also super fun. We take a lot of pride in customizing curated gifts for guests. The feedback is what warms our hearts. Our mission is to share childlike faith, joy, and wonder with everyone. Having an opportunity to put together packages that are specific and special to individuals brings us a great amount of joy!

The Collectibles You Can Find at POP ROC

POP ROC specializes in serving up all things nostalgic! The collectibles you’ll find at our shop include exclusives, rares, and the popular. Items we like to keep stocked up are:

• Funko Pops

• Pokémon Tins and Cards

• Comic books from publishers like Bad Idea, Archie, Marvel, DC, and many more independent labels. 

• Comic book variants

• Hard to find action figures

• Autographs 

• Comic store exclusive figures

We love special occasions. As mentioned previously, we really enjoy putting together custom packages that bring joy to your loved ones. Are you in need of the perfect gift for the collector in your world? Want exclusives? Come in or check out our online shop.

Need to make some extra cash? We're always looking for cool finds. Feel free to come in or contact us. 

We look forward to serving you soon!