Montana’s Gen X Will Love This Retro Collectibles Store

Lots of people collect stuff. From thimbles, sports cards, and shot glasses, to valuable antiques and art. Maybe even a ridiculous Montana koozie collection. It's probably something built deep into our evolutionary DNA; the urge to collect/store/hoard valuables to survive, or something.

Or, maybe we just enjoy certain things and like to collect them? Who knows. What I do know is that I might have discovered one of my new favorite collectible shops in Montana, called Keep it Alive at 928 Broadwater Avenue in Billings.

Read More: Why Montana’s Small Towns Make The Best Weekend Getaways

Keep it Alive is a Gen X toy lover's dream.

For those of us who grew up with the California Raisins, remember when The Simpsons debuted (1989 on an upstart network called "FOX"), and spent our after-school hours playing Duck Hunter on the OG Nintendo, this is our store. 

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The eclectic shop has been open for three years now, said proprietor Sean Osborne. He and a business partner first filled their inventory when they had the opportunity to purchase Gabriel's Toys, a former collectible shop on 1st Avenue North.

Browsing the shelves was like stepping back into my childhood.

The shelves at Keep it Alive are overflowing with cool stuff. Remember when Hardee's gave out real glassware in the early '80s with its Smurfs collection? Wild times, right?  You'll find those drinking glasses at this shop.

They have early game consoles and cartridges, a huge assortment of Simpsons stuff, TMNT toys, and older Barbies. Star Wars things crowd a corner in the back. There's vintage WWE stuff, cool 80s lunchboxes, retro horror movie items, and SO. MUCH. MORE.

Newer collectibles, too, and a (Not) Blockbuster recreation.

Osborne told me he acquires new merchandise almost daily, from several sources. Locals might bring in their collection to sell. Sometimes he'll hit garage sales or estate sales. He and his team do a fair amount of picking in Washington state, too.

As the business has grown, they've been able to expand their space with adjoining units in the little shopping center across from the old Cine 7. Including a reproduction of a Blockbuster video store, filled with a huge collection of VCR tapes and DVDs. There are probably a few Blu-rays in there, too.

Shop local.

I have a modest collection of Simpsons stuff. When I got home today, I dropped a really big hint to my spouse that if she needs ideas for my stocking stuffers this year, she has to check out this shop.

I could have spent another hour at Keep it Alive, and I will definitely be back. Check out my photo gallery below of cool stuff that caught my eye.