In ~May 1998, Ty opened a few Ty-Riffic stores in prominent airport terminals. Chicago (O’Hare) held the first/flagship store, with at least one other store (in Pittsburgh) that followed. These stores carried only Ty products and became huge collecting draws because they housed many of Ty’s best prototypes on loan from Ty. Ty removed all pax tags on pieces displayed (to protect the privacy of his manufacturers) and selected bright pieces that “popped” and reflected inflection points of the hobby (popular styles, etc.). This was the first time precious early-stage prototypes were displayed to the public in any official capacity and in any quantity. Pictures inside the store were not permitted, so decent photos of displayed pieces are rare, and often from an exterior distance.
“Airport concessionaire WJH. Smith has teamed up with Ty Inc. to open the first Ty-riffic Beanie Babies store. The retail operation is in Terminal 3, near the L-concourse at O’Hare International Airport. Department of Aviation spokesman Dennis Culloton says the facility is a standard-size retail store.” The Daily Herald 5/29/1998
There is a premium placed on Ty-Riffic Store Prototypes as they were the face of prototypes for many years, and viewed as the Creme De La Creme in protoland. To be deemed and graded as a Tyriffic Store piece, typically picture proof must be provided to prove the piece was in fact at the store, or other magazine publishings where it is confirmed pictures were taken of prototypes on loan at a Ty-Riffic Store. It is also possible internal Ty contacts (old employees etc.) can confirm that a piece was in fact displayed at one of the stores if no picture proof can be provided. This, if it comes from a primary source, is sometimes sufficient for graders.
This Roary prototype is WILD and is one of the most memorable and documented Ty-Riffic Chicago store prototypes! Just look at it – completely wild! Full alternate colors from the original.
Rarity Rank: 1. We would give this piece a rarity rank of a 1. While this is a 4th generation piece, it is a wild departure from its production form and is an iconic Ty-Riffic Store piece. It is one of the most well-known prototypes. Pax tags were removed. To date, there are rumors a few of the other Tyriffic Roaries ended up shipped to a Japanese collector and have since vanished. But this is just a rumor. But sadly, as of this writing, this is the only known surviving Tyriffic Roary. Below are pictures of the piece both from the Tyriffic store back in 1999, and when it was inspected and graded by True Blue Beans.
Rarest Beans 