MADISON — Jason Floyd Williams picked a great time to open his toy store on West Main last summer. It was Old Fashioned Days and the crowds were plentiful for the grand opening.

And then late September came.

“I had several rotten days in a row,” said Williams, a soft-spoken man whose decided to open a toy store rather than become an English teacher. “I started to lose confidence pretty quickly and had several anxiety attacks. I knew it would be tough, but I was not prepared for it being that tough.”

October was just as bad. And Williams, who had signed a three-year lease on the building, was getting worried, even though he’d spent years working in retailing and knew the business cycle.

“It’s a different story when it’s your own money,” Williams said.

Traffic and sales began to improve in November, and the holiday shopping season was very good to Williams. And, to his surprise, business continued to grow in the winter, which can be brutal on retailers. Once people learned that he purchased toys, they started cleaning out their stashes and bringing them to Williams for an offer. And the constant influx of new stock kept buyers coming back to look for that piece they can’t live without.

Even in the tough economy, Spaceman Floyd has stayed in orbit.

“June was my best month yet for sales, and the month I spent the most money for buying toys, as well,” he said.

The Cleveland  Heights resident said his wife, Trinity, a hair dresser who works near their home, helped him maintain his focus during those challenging days.

“If I didn’t have her, I could not have done it,” he said. “She should be getting some type of an accreditation for therapist.”

Williams said the hundreds of customers who patronized the store in its first year allowed him to do something he loves — selling childhood memories. He’s humbled by their vote of confidence with that rare commodity these days, discretionary income.

“They don’t need to spend their money here, but they are, and that’s a pretty nice thing,” he said.

These days, there is more stuff than ever to purchase at Spaceman Floyd’s Cosmic Toys, and Williams is ready to celebrate. He has selected Saturday to mark his first year in business (he received the keys to his building in July 2010) and plans to give a 25 percent discount on every purchase made that day.

“It’s my way of thanking people who have been floating in here all year,” he said.

To Williams, every sale that he’s made in the past year has been a validation of the idea he had for a Main Street toy store in an era when most collectibles are bought and sold online. His store wasn’t going to be in Madison, however.

“The place found me,” Williams says. “I wanted Kent or Willoughby. Madison was a fluke.”

A good fluke, for Williams’ presence has helped energize the street. He said several other businesses have already opened or are planning to open on Main Street this year. And as a result of the contacts he’s made in the store, he has formed partnerships with other entrepreneurs who will sell his merchandise in their ventures.

He’s also branched out into other ventures himself. Working with Geneva artist Neil Harrison, Williams created his first story/coloring booking of Spaceman Floyd’s adventures. His wife did the graphic design for the book, in which Floyd and Spacegirl Trinity travel the cosmos with President Martin VanBuren seeking toys at intergalactic garage sales.

Why VanBuren?

“His sideburns and long hair, it just looks great,” Williams said. “He’s out of time and his element, he’s kind of a fifth wheel.”

Williams wants to do another coloring book and expand the line of T-shirts that feature the whimsical art of Bob King. And he’s always looking to make that next buy, whether it’s an estate or one piece, clean it up, display it and send it out the door with a customer.

“I feel pretty lucky to have had this chance to meet a lot of good people,” he said.

Spaceman Floyd’s Cosmic Toys is located at 46 W. Maine. It is open noon to 7 p.m. Wednesday through Friday; 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. Visit it online at spacemanfloyds.com.