The force is strong at Hidden Temple Toys in downtown Selma.
The shop got a major shout-out by “Star Wars” star Oscar Isaac during a recent appearance on the show “Hot Ones.”
Wearing a shirt with the shop’s logo, Isaac explained that his cousin, Ed Valdez, opened the toy store in Selma several years ago. Isaac described his cousin’s passion about collectibles.
“He was like an amazing superhero of a human,” Isaac said. “I do believe you are what you love and he really loved superheroes and he loved collectibles. And he was just, like a protector of people that are less fortunate and people that are vulnerable and like a beautiful, beautiful man.”
Valdez, who died in a car wreck in February, was a big fan of “Hot Ones” and always encouraged Isaac to do the show.
“Ed really loved watching it, and he was like ‘you have to do this. I want to see you do it,'” Ed’s wife, Jennifer Valdez told WRAL. “When (Oscar) went on, I think it was a very personal thing for him.”
Related: Tiny NC town has two ‘Star Wars’ connections
Jennifer Valdez said that she had no idea Isaac was going to wear the shirt or reference the shop.
“He didn’t give us all the details, so we didn’t now. So, we watched it like everybody else did,” she said.
Oscar Isaac and his cousin Ed Valdez
Since the show, Valdez said she is getting a lot of phone calls and “some very sweet comments” from fans of Isaac and “Star Wars” offering support during this difficult time.
“I 100% want to make this store continue on and keep building what Ed was so excited about, and build something for our family, and for our sons and our nephews and, all the other kids, and our family to show them that small businesses can survive and make it, and especially ones that you have so much passion for.”
Hidden Temple Toys opened three years ago in a 1,000-square-foot space in downtown Selma. It was born from Ed Valdez’ love of collectibles. The shop just focused on toys and mainly featured Ed’s collection.
Ed Valdez and family
“Surprisingly, it did really well,” Jennifer Valdez said. “I was like, ‘I can’t believe how many people collect toys?'”
After a year-and-a-half the store relocated to a larger location in downtown Selma and added trading cards, hobby items, Pokemon and space for people to play games.
“We’ve created quite a community down here,” Jennifer Valdez said.
A community she wants to continue to foster.
“I am not a toy expert. I don’t pretend to be, but I can understand the passion behind it, and, and I will do everything that I can to continue that. And I want the community to help me continue to build that,” Jennifer Valdez said.
Hidden Temple Toys is located at 104 N. Raiford St. in Selma. The shop will be celebrating Free Comic Book Day on Saturday, May 2, with free and discounted comics, a cosplay contest, photobooth and more. There will also be a Pokemon Tournament and trading card event. On May 4, aka Star Wars Day, there will be specials as well.