Ooples Anime
| Name: | Ooples Anime |
| Date(s): | 2010 - 2017 |
| Profit/Nonprofit: | Profit |
| Country based in: | USA |
| Focus: | Anime merch |
| External Links: | ooples.com (Archive from 2016) |
| Click here for related articles on Fanlore. | |
Ooples Anime was a chain of anime merchandise stores in Central Texas, with locations in Austin, San Antonio, and Houston (and Fort Worth?). Ooples stores would often host fan events such as gaming tournaments, cosplay parties, itasha nights, and anime viewings.
In addition to licensed anime and game merch, the stores also sold snack foods, and occasionally imported doujinshi. The store would also buy customers' trading cards from Magic: The Gathering, Yu-Gi-Oh!, Pokemon, and Cardfight!! Vanguard.
History
In 2010, Franklin Moormann was robbed at gunpoint while working as a Papa John's pizza deliveryman. "Having a gun to the back of your head kind of changes your life perspective on things," Franklin later said. He decided to make a career change, and started Ooples due to his love of anime. At first he was selling homemade items ("T-shirts and hats and stuff"), before moving on to sell official merchandise.[1]
The store's name originates from Franklin's online pseudonym when he was younger: "It was supposed to be 'Oodles of Fun.' When I was a kid, I messed it up and put 'Ooples of Fun.'"[1]
An Austin location at 1925 Rutland Drive opened in late 2015[2], and had its grand opening event in February 2016.[3] This location closed in summer 2017 due to financial issues.
The Houston location, at 6670 Antoine Drive, opened in August 2016.[1] Due to Hurricane Harvey in fall 2017, which caused flooding in the store, that location was permanently shut down, with its last day of operation being September 5, 2017.[4]
All remaining Ooples stores closed down in late 2017, as Franklin was dealing with various life changes such as his upcoming marriage.[5]
Gallery
The Houston location's storefront.
Gamers taking part in the tabletop RPG Aes: Brass Revolution at the Austin location.
References
- ^ a b c Sherman, Carter (29 April 2019). "Houston's Only Anime Store Throwing Its Grand Opening This Weekend". Houston Press. Archived from the original on 2021-04-11. Retrieved 10 May 2019.
- ^ Lee B. (November 28, 2015). "Review of Ooples Anime". Yelp. Retrieved May 10, 2019.
- ^ "Ooples Anime Grand Opening - YouTube". The Daily Texan. 9 February 2016. Retrieved 10 May 2019.
- ^ Facebook post, September 6, 2017
- ^ Facebook post, September 19, 2017