Gawtos TCG, a new shop in Southport, is taking a trust-based approach to potential scalpers. Co-owner Levi Bailey said the store does not have a strict policy against resellers, instead choosing to trust customers to be honest about their intentions and not simply buy stock to resell online.
Inspired by Amsterdam
The shop, located on Post Office Avenue, was inspired by a trip to the Netherlands in late 2025. Levi Bailey and co-owner Keira Reid were impressed by the number of card and Pokémon shops in Amsterdam, prompting them to ask why Southport could not have something similar.
The pair quickly discovered strong local demand. After initially selling at card shows, including the Southport card show, they realised customers were actively asking for a dedicated shop, and that interest locally matched what they had seen in Amsterdam.
Building a community
The shop offers a range of Pokémon products, including individual cards and sealed products, as well as trading collectables. It opened in mid-July in the former Dog Haus unit.
Building a community has been one of the biggest rewards. Levi said Pokémon brings people together through its artwork, fandom and social side, with regular customers forming friendships and conversations around the hobby. The response since opening has been overwhelmingly positive, with the shop already developing a community of regulars.
Trust over restrictions
The owners are aware of tensions within the collecting community. Levi said the hobby has increasingly divided between people who genuinely collect and enjoy Pokémon and those who buy products primarily to resell them online.
For now, the shop is choosing trust over strict restrictions. Levi said they have not encountered any major issues with scalpers yet, but they are discussing how they would handle the situation if it becomes a problem.
