The Great Escape

Nashville's legendary buy/sell/trade institution since 1977 — 7,000 square feet of records, comics, gaming cards, toys, and collectibles. Five locations across the mid-south with unbeatable bargain pricing.

The Great Escape is a Nashville institution that has been buying, selling, and trading collectibles since 1977, making it one of the longest-running shops of its kind in the Southeast. The Charlotte Avenue Superstore — the flagship location — packs 7,000 square feet with an extraordinary breadth of inventory: vinyl records, CDs, DVDs, new and back-issue comic books, trading and gaming cards (Magic: The Gathering, Pokémon, and more at prices starting at two cents each), vintage toys, action figures, Funko Pops, role-playing games, posters, and memorabilia. It's both a bargain hunter's dream and a serious collector's paradise.

The comic book section is a particular standout, with one of Middle Tennessee's largest selections of new releases alongside deep bins of bagged-and-boarded back issues spanning decades. The gaming card section carries singles and sealed product for MTG, Pokémon, and other TCGs. The store also houses an outlet area — The Great Escape Half-Price-Or-Less Store — where clearance items create treasure-hunt opportunities.

With a second Nashville-area location in Madison, plus stores in Murfreesboro, Bowling Green (KY), and Louisville (KY), The Great Escape has grown into a mid-south chain while maintaining its family-owned character. Free Comic Book Day celebrations draw massive crowds, and the staff's decades of experience means knowledgeable service across every category. For tourists and locals alike, this is a must-visit Nashville destination.