Q: Can you share the story behind opening DaShop? What inspired you to choose a business specializing in Pokémon, Yu-Gi-Oh, and other collectibles?

Victor: It was a means to an end. I just wanted to take care of my family. Surprisingly, I don’t collect or play the card games I sell; I’m strictly the merchant, I’m here just for liquidity. So, it was just something I wanted to cultivate for the neighborhood to get an authentic toy store in the area. It was through trial and error that I fell into collectibles. It started as a business in Brooklyn selling knick-knacks, and through a thrive and a will to survive is how I came to be.

Q: How have your family’s background and experiences shaped your approach to running DaShop?

Victor: It’s a hands-on business – I’m very traditional. I’m not even online; the closest thing I have is Instagram, and I don’t even have a website. I’m day in and day out, and perseverance is how my family instilled a strong work ethic in me. For the past 18 years, I’ve been here seven days a week with an occasional day off when my sister has time off. It’s more of a lifestyle business than anything.

Q: Did you face any challenges starting and sustaining DaShop?

Victor: Any business will always face challenges. The key to facing challenges is adapting, evolving, and never staying stagnant. Never be too stubborn in your ways, it’s always about going with the flow. There’s always going to be haters out there, but you know what? Let it roll off your chest because they have a scarcity mindset. Moving forward with my business is about abundance. That’s the mindset I want to showcase. You don’t have to worry about all of the negativity that comes your way. You just go with it.

Q: How did the pandemic impact your business? 

Victor: The pandemic hurt the city a lot. It wasn’t just my business; it was across America. New York City had a 3-month shutdown, and that was across the board for all businesses. You had overhead piling up, no income, no sales. It was definitely a time of uncertainty, but you just have to weather the storm.

Q: How has the community of Chinatown supported your business, especially during difficult times such as the pandemic? 

Victor: Unity. There was this great Instagram handle: The Mott Street Girls. They deserve applause and praise. They were going around showcasing different businesses in Chinatown, especially the lesser-known establishments, giving a voice to people who didn’t have one. Unity, word of mouth, boots on the ground, and me giving recommendations for businesses to try out. To name a few, Uncle Lou is a great restaurant to try, and Stanley’s [Claw Machine] or the Anime Claw for entertainment. It’s not just about my business – I’m not here to monopolize – I always try to showcase my competitors as well. If you’re looking for Pokémon, Poké Court is one of the biggest in town; for gundams, you have Gundam Planet.

Q: What is your favorite out of the items you sell in the store, and what has sold the best for you?

Victor: Right now, the best item is Pokémon. Pokémon is experiencing a pivotal moment where demand is outpacing supply. I don’t collect, I don’t play, I don’t try to put all my eggs in one basket. It’s more than just Pokémon here; we have different card games, whether it be Yu-Gi-Oh, Magic: The Gathering, Dragon Ball, Digimon, and even sports cards. We also have collectible model kits, action figures, and statues. One of my favorite items that came through my door is a Supreme baseball bat. It’s not even for sale, but I barter with people who come in with merchandise, and I’m able to trade things. That was a very unique item, and I keep it as wall art now.

Q: Do you have any memorable customer interactions or stories that have stayed with you?

Victor: Yeah. There was this gentleman who came in here a few months ago, and he wanted to pay something forward. He paid $50 extra on top of his sale for me to give to somebody who was deserving. He said, “You know what, whenever you get a chance, if you see some kid who doesn’t have enough funds or who patrons your store a lot and you want to reward them, give that extra $50 towards that person.” It was a great, genuine experience and appreciated on both sides. That was very profound to see in this day and age, with people still having that great kindness. That’s what it’s about at the end of the day.

Q: What misconceptions do you think people have about Chinatown businesses, and how does DaShop challenge those misconceptions?

Victor: Everybody always thinks about Chinatown as being known for bootlegs, knockoffs, or cheap eats. I try to spin that around because while we may be known for that, there’s more to that. We have traditions, culture, livelihoods, merchants, family gatherings at dim sum, and it’s all about connection and enjoyment of life through spending time with loved ones. At DaShop, I only purchase authentic merchandise. We don’t have any knockoffs or bootlegs, and we’re here to show that Chinatown doesn’t just have a darker side, but there’s a brighter side to this area as well. 

Q: What’s your vision for DaShop moving forward?

Victor: Low-key, I want to retire. I can sell the business to another entrepreneur who is just as passionate about cultivating the business to grow it into something bigger. I would like it if I could let go of it and transition to something else. But if I could keep this business running, by all means, I’m still young.

Q: How do you hope your store contributes to the future of Chinatown and the next generation?

Victor: I try to live by this one phrase my dad always told me in Chinese, which means “as long as your feet are cemented in solid ground, you don’t have to worry about the tide sweeping you away.” So, whatever you want to do in life, whether it be traditional or brand new, do it righteously.