Bring ‘hobby and family together’ at Guy on the Couch in Monroeville

In the early days of serious card collecting, some shops had about enough room for a parent, his son and the clerk.

When it comes to capacity and comfort, Guy on the Couch Cards & Gaming in Monroeville offers pretty much the opposite.

From a children’s play area near the front to room for 15 to 20 tables with chairs in the back, the new business owned by Josh and Crystal McFadden takes a well-planned approach to serving 21st-century patrons.

“We just wanted a space where people could come and feel welcome, and they could bring their kids, because there’s a lot of time when a card shop might be adult-only,” Josh said. “It shouldn’t be a pick-your-hobby-or-pick-your-family thing. Let’s do your hobby and your family together. Let’s get everybody involved.”

The Jonnet Plaza store opened at the start of September, complete with a ribbon cutting and special activities as guests got to know the layout and inventory of Guy on the Couch.

Actually, a couch greets visitors as they enter, situated in a studio-type setting and brightened by light shining through the front window.

“A lot of collectors, when they open new packs and get something special, they want to show it off. They have their own YouTube channels, or families want to make memories,” Crystal explained. “And because we’re family-friendly, this is a place where they’re taking their pictures. They’re sharing their experience. And then they tag us in their Facebook group.”

To the rear of the shop are numerous tables that accommodate a variety of activities. Customers can relax while perusing boxes of cards, and once Guy on the Couch starts scheduling special events, dozens of folks will be able to participate.

“People can’t fit around each others’ coffee tables anymore, and their basements that once were for playing are now home offices. So they needed a space where they could come,” Crystal said. “They can bring their own deck, if they want. Sit down and play.”

Along with sports cards — which have been around for almost a century and a half, even if mothers ended up throwing them a large percentage of them away — Guy on the Couch carries selections appealing to newer interests: Pokémon, Magic: The Gathering, Warhammer 40,000, Dungeons & Dragons others that are familiar to younger generations.

Prior to deciding on opening a store, the McFaddens did a considerable amount of traveling to sell cards around Western Pennsylvania and in other states.

“We were realizing that a lot of our following was coming to us at those shows. So they knew when we were in Robinson. They knew when we were in Virginia,” Crystal recalled. “It’s a relationship we’ve been building, and instead of them chasing us, they can just come and hang out.”

As Monroeville residents who are active in the community and at Reclamation Church, the McFaddens received plenty of local support during the store’s opening weekend.

“Some of these folks, we’ve coached their kids. Some of these folks, we serve alongside of in church,” Crystal said. “We’ve made a ton of friends with the neighbor stores, so they’re in here.”

Regarding their business’ name, she credits Josh and some of his buddies from way back when.

“‘Guy on the Couch’ is kind of a joke my husband knew from his childhood,” she said, “and then they used to call him the Guy on the Couch in college.”

He is nearing completion of almost 20 years in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard.

“This is sort of his freedom-from-the-military entrepreneurial venture,” Crystal said. “To be able to have something he has fun doing is like a nice reward.”

Crystal is a veteran, too, as she enlisted in the Navy after graduating from Apollo-Ridge High School.

“Both of us have had that experience of working hard and serving alongside each other,” she said.

For more information, visit www.facebook.com/groups/guyonthecouch.