Featured Business: Bad Robot

By Dana Ludvik
   
here is a little gem tucked into the Grainger Building in the historic Haymarket. It’s part toy shop, part gallery, part local artist showcase, and part vinyl critter sanctuary. It goes by the name Bad Robot.  
     
Bad Robot is a gift and design boutique that is tricky to sum up in one sentence. You can visit to shop for gifts, grab a cup of tea on the go, check out the latest creations by local artists or visit just to see what’s new. Whether the items on the shelves are shiny and modern or cozy and home-made, the one thing that ties all these elements together is good design.

     
Since opening in 2006, owners Ken Kavanaugh, Dan Sloan and Dale Nordyke, have tried to maintain a shop that doesn’t fit neatly into a single niche. There is no theme— just a constantly evolving collection of well-crafted things that are, according to Kavanaugh, nice to look at. This laid-back philosophy towards retail can be seen in the eclectic selection of merchandise.
     
There are stylish journals and sketchbooks, futuristic wind-up toys, Danish-modern kitchen accessories, imported folk art from South America, vintage-inspired rockets and spaceships made by a movie-prop creator, funky umbrellas and rain coats, lunch containers, high-tops, wallets, magnets, bookends, wrist watches, bird feeders, mobiles, and more.
       
“People typically come in the store because they’re curious. They think it’s kind of weird— and they like it,” said Kavanaugh. “We remind them of boutiques in bigger cities because we carry things that you don’t see anywhere else in Lincoln. I like to see their reactions to things. That’s the fun part.”
     
There are plenty of locally-made products to choose from, including onesies, jewelry, greeting cards, screen printed lamps, hand-crocheted scarves and hats, and other odds and ends.   
     
“We like to swap items from local artists in and out of the store. We’re happy to support them as long as we have the space,” said Kavanaugh.
     
Since all the owners are also employed at The Mill coffee shop, naturally, there is a small bar where patrons can order organic coffee or tea by the cup.
     
Why the name Bad Robot? Because the owners liked it, that’s why.
     
“We could have either named it something that made sense or go the other route,” said Kavanaugh. “You can be anything with that name because it doesn’t limit what you do.”
     
Bad Robot further sets itself apart from other retailers in that it serves as a gallery for art and antiques, sometimes staying open late during the First Friday gallery walks.
     
There is a glass case in the rear of the store that is dedicated to showcasing a rotating gallery of collectibles that belong to Larry Smalls, the building’s landlord and owner of Flat Water Toys. The items on display are typically Americana-inspired toys from the 50s and 60s, including toy trains and horses. Currently, a set of antique guitars and radios are on exhibit. Some of these items are for sale and some are just for show, adding to the gallery feel of the store.  
     
“Larry has developed a regular following of people that come in just to check out what he has on display,” said Kavanaugh.  
     
In an economy where fewer people are shopping for things they don’t need, Bad Robot has gravitated towards carrying things that are a little more goofy in lieu of big ticket designer items.  
     
Some of the most popular items Bad Robot sells are vinyl figures known as Munny and Qee, made by Kidrobot and Toy2R respectively. Some of the plastic figures can be enjoyed right out of the box, but a lot of them are do-it-yourself versions that can be made into customized pieces of art. Many are ‘blind’ boxed, which conceals the type of figure the collectors receive, injecting a little suspense into the buying experience.

While the Japanese toy culture (some would say obsession) has been going strong for about two decades, its popularity has been growing steadily in Lincoln over the last couple years. These plastic critters are being snapped up more and more at Bad Robot, especially by artists and graphic designers, who have a penchant for collecting and a desire to paint, cut, glue, sculpt and manipulate the toys’ cartoonish bodies until they come to life as their own distinct characters.

From pint-size luchadores to zombies to a hamburger face (that’s right) -- the creative possibilities are endless. And that’s part of what keeps patrons coming back for more.
     
Items typically don’t stick around for long in Bad Robot’s ever changing inventory, so whether you are looking for a one-of-a-kind gift, on the hunt for a new toy or simply looking to be inspired, be on your best behavior and make sure to visit Bad Robot.
     
Bad Robot is located at 105 N. 8th St inside the Grainger Building in Lincoln’s historic Haymarket. Hours are 11 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Fridays, and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturdays. Closed Mondays and Sundays. Extended hours will begin during the holiday season. Visit www.thebadrobot.biz or phone 402-438-6137 for more information.  
 
 

Comments

[Mike Edholm]

BAD ROBOT may want to prepare for a name change. The name also happens to be the name of J.J. Abrams' (LOST, STAR TREK, CLOVERFIELD) production company. They may get "a letter" one of these days....

[Ken]

Hi Mike
We're aware, though we weren't when we named the shop.
Since a business name-related trademark infringement case is based on confusion to the consumer---same name, similar services or products---we're unlikely to be targeted by Mr. Abrams, or judged in violation.
If we did get "a letter" we'd probably be flattered, and laugh a lot. Likely frame it.
That said, however, we might consider putting a sign on our door (and note on our website) to the effect of "Not in any way affiliated with the Bad Robot of television" ;)