The Discovery of Cheetozard: A Cheesy Twist of Fate
In a small sports memorabilia and trading card shop in Canton, Georgia, an unusual item caught the eye of Jordan Tkacsik, a friend of the shop’s owner, Paul Bartlett. Amidst a trove of Pokémon collectibles, a single Flamin’ Hot Cheeto stood out—a cheese puff shaped uncannily like Charizard, one of Pokémon’s most iconic characters.Dubbed “Cheetozard,” this peculiar find was nestled in a small plastic case resembling a travel-sized Q-Tip container. Though not a die-hard Pokémon fan, Tkacsik recognized the item’s uniqueness and its apparent importance to Bartlett. Little did either of them know, their lives—and the world of collectibles—were about to take a dramatic turn.
The Journey to Preservation: A Labor of Love
Moved by the Cheeto’s quirky charm, Jordan Tkacsik took it upon himself to design a safer, more impressive case for Cheetozard. Using computer-assisted design software, he crafted a custom, four-part container that cradled the delicate snack snugly, ensuring it wouldn’t be damaged. Tkacsik, who had never even held the Cheeto himself, was meticulous about its protection, fearing any mishandling might compromise its fragile structure. His efforts were driven by a sense of duty and a touch of curiosity. “I sort of made it my mission to see if I could do it,” he later recalled. Meanwhile, the Cheeto’s owner, Paul Bartlett, had already begun to sense that his quirky purchase might have more significance than he initially imagined.
A Collector’s Dream: The Rise of a Snack Sensation
Paul Bartlett, a 37-year-old collector, had first stumbled upon Cheetozard in 2019 during an eBay browse. Initially listed at $500, Bartlett acquired it for $350, but soon forgot about the peculiar snack, relegating it to a safe. Fast forward to the following year, a social media post reignited interest in the Cheeto, and its popularity skyrocketed. Realizing its potential cultural value, Bartlett sought professional help to preserve it, only to find that most companies feared their equipment might damage the delicate snack. Enter Jordan Tkacsik, whose ingenuity and willingness to help would set the stage for Cheetozard’s eventual stardom. As the Cheeto gained traction, Bartlett’s small shop became the unlikely epicenter of a pop culture phenomenon.
From Obscurity to Fame: The Auction That Stunned the World
In a twist no one saw coming, Cheetozard’s star continued to rise. After a failed eBay sale and a brief stint as a mystery prize in a collectibles pack, the Cheeto found its way to Goldin Auctions, a renowned platform for rare items. On February 10, Cheetozard was listed in a pop culture auction, and the world watched in awe as bids skyrocketed. By the night of February 18, the leading bid had reached $18,000, triggering extended bidding. The auction concluded early Sunday morning with a staggering $72,000 sale, plus $15,840 in fees, making it the most expensive food item Goldin had ever auctioned. For Bartlett, who had initially paid just $350, the outcome was nothing short of surreal. “I was like, ‘Man, this is going to sell for close to $100,000, and I’m going to be sick,’” he recalled, still in disbelief.
Bridging Fandoms: The Cultural Significance of Cheetozard
The sale of Cheetozard marked more than just a quirky auction—it highlighted the power of pop culture to bring people together. As Dave Amerman, head of consignment at Goldin, noted, the item’s appeal lay in its ability to bridge two distinct fandoms: Pokémon and Cheetos. In an era where even a banana taped to a wall can command millions, Cheetozard’s sale underscored the growing value of unique, one-of-a-kind collectibles. For fans of both franchises, the item represented a fun and unexpected crossover—a testament to the creativity and nostalgia that drive modern collecting. The rise of Cheetozard also raised questions about the future of collectibles, proving that even the humblest of objects can hold extraordinary value when infused with cultural significance.
A Bittersweet Victory: Reflections on a Journey
As Cheetozard’s auction came to a close, the emotions were mixed. For Jordan Tkacsik, the experience was a fulfilling challenge, though he admitted, “I still don’t know anything about Pokémon.” For Paul Bartlett, it was a reminder of the unpredictable nature of collectibles. Despite his initial forgetfulness and the eventual windfall, Bartlett couldn’t help but feel a pang of regret for parting with such a unique item. “I wasn’t going to ship a fragile Cheeto through the mail,” he said, recalling his earlier hesitation. In the end, Cheetozard’s journey from a dusty shelf to global stardom was a tale of friendship, creativity, and the unpredictable magic of pop culture. The cheese puff may been a small, fragile thing, but its impact on the world of collectibles was anything but.