A devastated Darlington Pokémon card shop owner has said he has "got nothing left" after having £30,000 worth of stock stolen over the weekend.
Big Man Cards on Larchfield Street broke the news to customers, saying they doesn't know if they will be able to "come back" from the ordeal.
The shop, which has only been open for just over two months, specialises in collectable Pokémon cards - some of which sell around the globe for millions of pounds.
But owners have found a captive audience for the Japanese franchise in Darlington, and have amassed more than 1,000 followers online.
However, the future of the shop is now uncertain after the break-in, having been cleared out of stock and left with damage to the roof.
Owners posted on social media: "Today’s been one of the toughest days I’ve had in a long time. I was robbed and lost around £30,000 worth of stock - months of work gone in a moment.
"It’s a horrible feeling, and I won’t pretend otherwise. But what’s happened since has reminded me exactly why I do what I do.
"The amount of support, messages, and kindness I’ve received has been overwhelming in the best possible way.
"This community isn’t just something I built - it’s something we built together. And seeing everyone rally around me today has meant more than I can put into words.
"I’m not letting a few low-life clowns knock me off course. We’ve created something special here, and I’m already focused on getting things back to where they were.
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"Your support has given me the strength to keep pushing, keep rebuilding, and keep showing up. Thank you all - truly. I appreciate every single one of you."
The shop is now closed until further notice, but in the wake of the break-in, friends have set up a fundraiser in a bid to get the shop back up and running, which has already raised more than £1,500.
The Northern Echo contacted Durham Police who were unable to provide further information.
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