'I've stopped selling Pokémon cards - it is unsafe'

A business owner has said she will no longer sell Pokémon trading cards after hundreds of pounds worth were stolen from her shop.

Katherine Mayer was left shaken after the theft in broad daylight, and then vinyl was stolen when the shop window in Newark, Nottinghamshire, was smashed a week later.

She owns the vintage store Tentacles of Time in Market Place, and had been selling the cards since December. Now stocking the playing cards was "too risky" and "not worth it", she said.

Nottinghamshire Police said it was working to investigate the incidents and identify the people responsible.

The first theft happened at about 16:00 BST on 4 April. She said a few customers were browsing the store when a man walked in and stole about £200 worth of Pokémon cards from the shelves.

She said: "I chased him out of the shop, asking him to give them back.

"Other nearby shop owners got involved and the situation became aggressive. I decided to leave it, as I was worried for everyone's safety.

"I thought to myself - this isn't worth it. They are just cards."

Cards related to the Japanese animation series have soared in value over recent years, with some selling for thousands of pounds.

The shop was broken into five days later. Her front window was smashed and vinyl stolen.

Nottinghamshire Police said it was investigating to see if the two incidents were linked.

Mayer said: "I was oblivious to how valuable they were and how many people had been burgled because of them.

"Kids would come in and trade them, and it's been heartbreaking to tell them that we're no longer selling them.

"I told one of our regulars, and his little boy started crying. Who wants to do that to their customers?

"But I have to keep customers and staff safe - that is the priority."

The business is currently closed while the windows are repaired, which will cost about £5,000.

Mayer opened the store in August 2025 in memory of her late husband who died a year earlier.

She said: "What happened made me realise that life is too short.

"I was working for the NHS as a matron and I'd dreamed about opening a vintage store for a long time.

"Everything in the shop is inspired by my husband, from the name, to the items we have. This place means a lot to me."

After the latest incident, Mayer was not sure if she would reopen.

"For something like this to happen eight months in - this is a business owner's worst nightmare," she said.

"But other local businesses in Newark rallied around me, they bought me cakes and flowers, and even offered to sell some of my stock for me in the meantime.

"I'm going to push on, and I will not let the actions of a minority ruin this dream for me. We will reopen again."

Additional reporting by Rebecca Brice

Listen to BBC Radio Nottingham on Sounds and follow BBC Nottingham on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@bbc.co.uk or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2210.