Ten years ago, Bill Hume told The Batavian he was living his dream.
He had just opened Foxprowl Collectables at 440 Ellicott St., Batavia, and was excited to translate his passion for action figures and comic book heroes into a real business.
In 2020, the dream is still alive even if there have been challenges over the past decade.
Hume expanded his Ellicott Street location for awhile, tried a location at Jackson and Main for awhile tried selling just online for awhile, even hosted a couple of collectible conventions in Batavia. Each step of the way he's had to make adjustments, but all along he kept the dream alive.
"People started shopping on the internet more and my sales were going down and then sales started going down because the merchandise that I carry started becoming predominate in Target and Walmart and more mainstream with the success Marvel and Star Wars movies," Hume said. "I came to what was kind of tough realization that you’ve got to teach an old dog new tricks. First, it was, ‘what’s wrong with the people?’ and then I came to the realization that it's me not changing with the times. It was a little difficult to swallow."
He made the changes needed, reducing overhead, switching up inventory, and changing his marketing message, and even so, despite the challenges of a global pandemic, the dream is still alive.
He intends to be around for Foxprowl's 20th anniversary in 10 years, he said, as a "staple in the community."
Top photo: Bill Hume, wife and co-owner Joy Hume, and staff member Brenden Gillard.
File Photo: Bill Hume shortly after Foxprowl opened in 2010.
Previously: Batavia native opens pop culture collectibles store on Ellicott Street
For all of our Foxprowl coverage over the years, click here.
