Hidden Temple Toys Brings Collectibles, Community, and Connection to Downtown Selma

Did you have a favorite toy growing up? Maybe something super special, popular, or unique that you remember getting for a birthday or Christmas? Do you have a memory of a toy you wanted, but never got? Something you longed for, asked for, or were jealous of friends who had it? I loved my Ribbon Dancer. I wanted my best friend’s Skip-It so bad. Toys are like that. Whether we’re 8 or 80, they speak to a playful spark in us, a joy we never forget. 

Tucked inside a historic storefront in Downtown Selma, Hidden Temple Toys is more than a shop for toys and collectibles. It’s a gathering place built around nostalgia, creativity, and shared hobbies. What started as a dream between lifelong collector Ed Valdez and his family has quickly become one of Johnston County’s most unique destinations for toy enthusiasts, gamers, comic fans, and curious visitors alike.

“Hidden Temple Toys was always a dream of my husband, Ed. He was a lifelong collector of toys, comics, and Warhammer, and he loved the idea of creating a local place where people could hang out, shop, and talk about the things they all had in common,” says Jennifer Valdez, Hidden Temple owner and Ed’s wife.

I sat down with Jennifer to discuss Hidden Temple Toy’s past, present, and future. “We originally opened in a 1,000-square-foot space just to make sure the concept was sound. Once we saw the interest and started outgrowing that location, we found the beautiful space we’re in now at 104 N. Raiford St. in Downtown Selma. The building has so much character and is almost four times the size of our original store. It also allowed us to expand into collectible cards and gaming tables, making it an even more exciting and welcoming place for people to gather.” 



Nerds are big business. Anyone who’s ever been to a Comic Con-esque event or spent any time online within fannish spaces knows this fact personally. Hollywood, toy companies, convention organizers, all the way down to the casual Etsy maker, understand that the fan economy can be lucrative. It’s important to remember, though, that it’s all wrapped up in joy — of belonging to something bigger, of finding connection with others, of being entertained. 

I only met Ed once, but having walked into Hidden Temple Toys multiple times now, it's clear that he was someone who understood that joy personally and found joy in sharing it with others, in multiplying it through his dream of Hidden Temple and what it’s grown into over the years. 

For Jennifer, one of the biggest priorities now as Hidden Temple continues to grow is to create a space that feels approachable for everyone. “When my husband first said he wanted to open a toy store, I told him it needed to feel different from many of the collectible shops we had visited. We wanted it to feel inviting, clean, organized, and genuinely friendly.”

“Sometimes collectible stores can feel intimidating if you’re not already deeply knowledgeable about the hobby,” she explained. “We wanted Hidden Temple to be a place where anyone could walk in, ask questions, and discover new hobbies without feeling judged.”

As we age, toys often become something we collect instead of something we play with. It sounds more adult to collect action figures than to smash them together, make them jump or fly. Collecting toys becomes a way for us as adults to reclaim our childhood, to hold on to the things we’re passionate about through curation. And not just with toys, but with comics, games, memorabilia, books, and trading cards. 



Hidden Temple Toys is a place for both kids and adults, the veteran collector and the novice. That welcoming approach is part of what makes the store stand out. While Hidden Temple carries rare collectibles and specialty items geared toward adult collectors, it also offers affordable toys for kids and family-friendly gaming experiences designed to bring different generations together.

Visitors will find everything from action figures and comics to collectible cards and tabletop games. But Hidden Temple is more than a place to shop. The store regularly hosts tournaments,  trading events, and beginner-friendly activities, creating a sense of community that keeps people coming back. 

Downtown Selma itself also played a major role in shaping the business. The Valdez family already loved living in Johnston County, but they were especially drawn to Selma’s historic charm and supportive small business community.

“The people here are incredibly welcoming and encouraging. It really feels like a small village of business owners all working together to help Selma grow and thrive,” Jennifer said.

She is spot on in how Selma’s business owners and residents are working together to transform their downtown. Each business, and business owner, in Selma is different and fun, and scrappy too, in a lot of ways. From a Boston-themed eatery to a millennial vintage store to a tea-infused cocktail bar — the puzzle pieces fit together just right to create this mosaic of commerce and experiences that feel different from anywhere else. It’s surprising and refreshing!



Speaking of surprises, one surprise many visitors don’t expect is the Hollywood connection within the story of Hidden Temple Toys. Unless you’ve seen a certain recent episode of Hot Ones, and then maybe you have an idea. 

“One thing that surprises a lot of people is that Ed’s cousin is Oscar Isaac, who has been a big supporter of the store. That definitely sparks a lot of questions and excitement. Most people don’t expect a celebrity connection tucked away in Downtown Selma,” says Jennifer. 

Oscar visits the shop occasionally and recently spoke about his love for Ed and Hidden Temple Toys while on Hot Ones promoting his latest project. You might know Oscar from his work in the Star Wars franchise, or as Marvel’s Moon Knight, or from some of his other numerous works: Dune, Ex Machina, and Frankenstein. You can watch the full episode here (skip to minute nine to hear about Ed and the store).

Better yet, visit Hidden Temple Toys for yourself. There are tons of fun and eye-catching things to see and experience. Remember that before Ed was a business owner, he was a collector himself, and the store is full of Hollywood memorabilia. 

Jennifer explained, “One of the biggest attention-grabbers is a life-size Spider-Man figure originally used in Blockbuster stores to promote Spider-Man 2. The display has become a favorite photo spot and centerpiece for the store.”



The Hidden Temple community also extends beyond the storefront through the shop’s podcast, Figures Not Included, hosted by Ed’s cousin, Michael Hernandez. The show dives into toy news, reviews, and interviews with creators from across the toy industry, helping connect Selma to collectors and fans far beyond Johnston County.

Throughout the year, Hidden Temple Toys also hosts a variety of family-friendly events focused on bringing people together around shared interests. Upcoming events include a Toy Show at the Selma Civic Center on June 6 and a Collectible Card Show on October 24 featuring Pokémon, Magic: The Gathering, and One Piece card trading.

Hidden Temple is a space for fans, by fans. It started from Ed’s love for toys and continues on in Ed’s memory thanks to his wife, Jennifer, their extended family, and wonderful friends. Whether you’re a serious collector, introducing your kids to your favorite childhood fandoms, or simply exploring Downtown Selma for the first time, Hidden Temple Toys offers a reminder that you’re never too old to play.