Take a Trip to the Lost Cantina in a Neighborhood Not Far, Far Away

Hidden Star Wars toy Store In Memphis

Tucked away on the discrete, vine-encrusted corner of Harbert and Bellevue, I found a set of stairs with a cityscape of Tatooine. 

This was the store I was looking for. 

A short jaunt up the stairs put me face-to-face with a life-size stormtrooper, a bounty hunter and an astromech droid. These are the costumes that the cantina’s co-owner, Terry Ryan, wears to visit sick children around Mid-South hospitals. “It’s gut-wrenching,” Ryan admits, while welcoming me into the heart of The Lost Cantina Toy Store. “They are excited to see you, but they are really sick.”

Ryan’s store is one fit for the heart of a child, one that would make any fan of science fiction sparkle with joy. 

Two Memphis Toy Collectors Turned Star Wars Store Owners

Ryan and co-owner Brian Spiker merged their extensive Star Wars memorabilia collections into the dazzling array of action figures, x-wings, tie-fighters and Corellian cruisers that decorate the walls of this small but utterly charming ode to childhood about a year ago.

As Ryan begins to tell me the story of his store, a customer lets out an audible squeal from the backroom; elation driven by the discovery of a long lost toy from their youth. “That happens a lot,” Ryan says. “That’s the juice. That’s what it is all about.” 

For the most part, the store has been operating mostly under-the-radar of mainstream Memphis. Their only marketing, Ryan says, are the free stickers that they hand out to each customer, whether they buy something or not.

And though the store began as the brainchild of two toy collectors, items at The Lost Cantina can be about as affordable as they get. The cantina keeps a five dollar bin of well-worn relics (I spotted a trio of musicians from Mos Eisley for a five spot) along with slightly more rare items, like a vintage R5 droid for $40.

Ewoks, Blasters, and Lightsabers at Lost Cantina Shop

Many items, most of which I haven’t seen since my own childhood, still crackle with the same kind of allure they once held when they were new. Entranced by the possibility of purchasing so many toys that were denied to me as a child, I followed Ryan around the store as he showcased bits and pieces of our shared, cultural youth. Above the register, a gallery of replica helmets lined the wall as if he and Spiker had pillaged the aftermath of an Ewok party after the Battle of Endor. 

Below the counter, a handmade and very heavy replica of Han Solo’s blaster emerged, as did a lightsaber made for dueling that Ryan himself has taken a few hits from. And below a play area with out of the box (!) Spaceships and land speeders, Ryan pulled out a prop-quality replica helmet that would have precisely fit the costume department on “The Force Awakens.”

Memphis Gifts For Star Wars Fans

“We have everything from five dollars to hundreds of dollars,” he adds. “This helmet was weathered professionally, and you can’t buy it anymore. They company went defunct even though they were making good stuff. Some people waited five years to get what they ordered.” 

For Star Wars fans looking for to travel light speed down memory lane, The Lost Cantina is the only hive of scum and villainy to head for. You won’t find any real bad guys inside, just a couple of Memphians with a toy collection from a galaxy far, far away just waiting to steal your heart. 

Where to Find it: 620 S. Bellevue. Park around back and walk upstairs. 

Hours: The Lost Cantina is open most weekends from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The best way to check hours is via their Facebook and Instagram pages.