I live a few miles from the largest comic book store in north america and ive never set foot in it because ive always heard the owner and most of the staff are assholes to customers. This is an article detailing the basics on how to open a comic book store. The beguiling seems to do business as a outre comic store. Cue lots of tears and gnashing of teeth for the only comic store in town. We have been in business since 1991 with the goal of helping people to further enjoy reading and collecting comic books. The real reasons for marvel comics woes the atlantic. One of north americas largest comic book retailers speaks out.
His preference is to sell the business but if there are no buyers he will sell the comics and shut things down. Marvel and dc are taking steps to save comic book shops disrupted. Eau claire comics and collectibles on main street is going out of business. Gamestop explains how and why its going to start selling.
Joseph leisner, 80, will close his store comic book heaven after 26 years in the sunnyside, queens. After years in the neighborhood, the castros comic shop, comic book beardies, closed on december 5. Wanna know whats happenin at your friendly neighbourhood comic store. Major retailers announce dozens of nova store closings in. One closed near me, had a going out business sale, then reopened with new ownership in the same location. Radio comix store come get your radio comix and other fine. Weve reached out to owner mitch cutler for more information, but this is another era ender. The closure quietly capped off a particularly devastating year for castro retail, in which many decadesold businesses shuttered.
Feb 04, 2011 another reason business is down at comic book stores is because yesterdays comic book reader is more likely to be todays video game player. But what of the medium in which the superhero originated the comic book and the purveyors of the hundreds of comics that are released. Local comic book store guy steve oto calls it quits, and he wants everybody to know why before the doors are forever shuttered on alternate realities, get to know the character behind the the last real comic book store in the county. Aug 26, 2017 the first, the comic book collector was one of the first comic book stores in canada, opening 38 years ago in 1979. Find out why comic book shops are a great place to discover comics and join a community of people just like you. May 24, 2017 the real reasons for marvel comics woes. More comic book stores are closing as a result of the pandemic shutdown across the world. Why are comics shops closing as superheroes make a mint. Like other retailers on the high street, comic shops must factor in rents, business rates, staff wages, insurance but the profit margins on comics are. Do you love to read comic book, if so you might want to start your own comic book store. Comic book store owners of reddit, how is business.
Its been a lot of fun having a store here on comic collector live, but all good things come to an end. How to help your comic book store beat coronavirus screen rant. The first in my family to graduate from college, i earned a ba from st. Business has plummeted, leisner said, and he wants to pursue an acting career and finding a. Find out whats happening at your local comic book shop with our 2020 calendar of special occasions and instore events. Plus interview s with 40 comic book professionals haines, lurene on. I figure it is much better to purchase used fixtures all in a group, rather than having to search them out, one at a time. I started in business in 1982 with a tiny store in a bad location in palo alto. Owner of lees comics pulls the plug after more than 37 years. With very few exceptions, most store owners quickly find themselves in some measure of debt, and the day comes when they realize that they cant get out. Sjw marvel helped put my local comic shop out of business. From arrow to wonder woman 1984, netflixs daredevil to avengers. Press still confused as to why comic shops keep closing. As comic pros double down on sjwism, comic stores nationwide.
A few weeks ago, americas largest video game retail chain announced that its going to enter the comic book business. For both of them, if you want what they got you gotta go there. As of 2016 it had 126 superstores, which were mainly located in the south central united states, rocky mountain states, and in parts of the great plains and midwestern states. Recent years have seen an increase not only in comic store closures, but the frequency of said closures 2017 alone saw at least 50 comic book stores close between january 2017 and january 2018, and unfortunately 2018 does not signal an end to the trend. Before opening your own comic book store, i encourage you to consult with other professionals. With very few exceptions, most store owners quickly find themselves in some measure of debt, and the day comes when they realize that they cant get. I feel like this work is going to be carried on, so thats the thing im happy about. Across the united states, a large number of local stores and store chains that started between the 1920s and 1950s have become defunct since the late 1960s, when many chains were either consolidated or liquidated. The first, the comic book collector was one of the first comic book stores in canada, opening 38 years ago in 1979. Regardless of which one you choose, you will need a general business license. Bleeding cool has been noting the closure of many comic book stores in recent months as well as celebrating a few that have opened.
While were still shaking the dust off and working all the kinks out, we are now open for business. Leading comics retailer explains diamond news, warns against. When you visit a comic book shop, youre stepping into a world of wonders. With weekly comic books from marvel, dc, dark horse, cosmic times and many other indie publishers ppf offers the best selection in new comics as well as the best selection of back issues in the area. On their own, comic book stores in north america were able to carve out a niche for themselv. Paradise seems to do business as a collectors comic store. Hastings entertainment stores were also located in many college towns in the u.
They go in with little money in the bank and just hope the store will take off and they will have money rolling in. Retailer lee hester explains why his 29yearold comics. I wanted to open small comic book store in my city delhi, india. This is one of the biggest reasons why the average comic book store does not make it one year.
May 05, 2015 im willing to stick it out and do this for as long as i can. I just really, really want to work at a comic book store. Comic book retailers struggling after diamond pulls plug on new comics. Thats why i want to take the first step to open the first proper comic book store in india. Jan 15, 2015 i think this is because comic book sales moved from the convenience store to the comic book store while book stores always concentrated on selling books. There fans of dc and marvel asking the same question on the net that where to find latest comic books in india. Im willing to stick it out and do this for as long as i can.
List of defunct retailers of the united states wikipedia. It turns out that despite the low pay and lack of glamour at least among outsiders, clerking a comic book store is a surprisingly common step on the path to being a professional comics artist. I have 3 other partners, a business plan, a location. Opening a comic book store, need any available advice gen. Learn about the daytoday activities of a comic book store owner, the typical target market, growth potential, startup costs, legal considerations, and more. Pleasanton, ca pleasantons popular comic book store is going out of business next year. Retailers, publishers weigh in on 2017 state of the business. My competition was comics and comix, which at its peak was the best chain of comic book stores the industry has ever seen, and i was up against their 2nd best store, 2nd only to their berkley location. As we face eventual closing of all nonessential businesses, the further. Sunnyside shop comic book heaven to close after 26 years. Radio comix store come get your radio comix and other. And then you see a going out of business sale in about six months. In this article, we look at the executive summary, products, the market, and the competition.
Our guide on starting a comic book store covers all the essential information to help you decide if this business is a good match for you. Flying colors comics ownerfcbd founder james fields lays out what diamond. Tales from the database mile high comics, chuck rozanski. Marks comics, is shutting down at the end of february. Beloved comic book store closing its doors in phoenix featured. Prior to becoming a comic book retailer i was a stock broker, and then gave up that stress to own my own house cleaning business. Heroes and villains comics will close in february of 2018, according to the owners.
The heroes and heroines that grace the pages of print comics have also moved toward a more lucrative medium to tell their stories as well. The current generation coming up is going to be the. On their own, comic book stores in north america were able to carve out a niche. Why would a comic book store be profitable when regular book. Some may have been lost due to mergers, while others were affected by a phenomenon of large store closings in the 2010s known as the retail apocalypse. Apr 26, 2019 so why are so many going out of business. Starting a comic book store, or book publisher business whether selling books from home, online or any other format, you first need to select the service business structure among a sole proprietor, a partnership, corporation or llc. Two more comic stores to close bleeding cool news and rumors. The comic book store that kicked out a customer simply for their political leanings perceived is now in major financial trouble. Well have updates on upcoming sales, events and promotions. Sales are spread across more titles and more formats so, in general, print issue sales of a given issue of a given comic are down but overall sales are as good as theyve been in a number of years. Sjw marvel helped put my local comic shop out of business comics matter wya boi zack.
Fifty comic stores that have closed since january 2017. A store in eau claire that has been around for nearly 20 years is closing its door. Cosmic comix is a fullservice comic book store located in linthicum heights, maryland, just outside of baltimore. Ceo of diamond comic distributors, announced the closing of the. It is the one and only comic book store in our city of 300k people not. For a marvel comic has never been lower than it is. The retailer admitted that most comic book stores will probably close. The fixtures in the store might be worn, but going out and trying to find entirely new fixtures is costprohibitive for most new operations. Movies are more accessible than comic book stores to most fans even more so with this wave. Scarsdales alternate realities comic book store is.
Most of the comic shops in my area are basically magicboard gamepop culture stores. Another reason business is down at comic book stores is because yesterdays comic book reader is more likely to be todays video game player. With his store closure, hester laid off the few remaining staff members. Age of extinction based on a childrens toy and tv series of the 1980s and 1990s made the most money globally this year by. Comic book retailers share practical steps to help them stay afloat during. In toronto there seem to be a couple that are making a good go of it. Hes run the shop out of the same location for more than 40 years and he wants to pass the mantle. Formerly known as whatever store, comic book beardies first opened in may 2006 at 548 castro st. May 20, 20 in toronto there seem to be a couple that are making a good go of it. I thought barnes and nobles and borders were going out of business because they were so gigantic, overpriced, and lacked heart.
Like other retailers on the high street, comic shops must factor in rents, business rates, staff wages. Or theyre maybe going to offer retailers digital codes that we would sell. Comic books were a small blip on my radar before i considered opening a store i did not have a collection stashed somewhere. More comic book stores close permanently bleeding cool. Sjw comic store feels the cold steel of capitalism youtube. Nov 24, 2017 pleasanton, ca pleasantons popular comic book store is going out of business next year. Why would a comic book store be profitable when regular. Infinity war, superheroes have taken their place amongst the stars and silver screens. Comic book retailers struggling after diamond pulls plug on new. All about books and comics has been a community staple for almost 40 years, and now the owners are ready for the next chapter in their lives. Marks was the messy indie rebel to jhus more orderly store to the north in the 90s and beyond, before midtown took over as the clean megastore of the city. This is the first of three articles that helps existing comic book publishers and budding selfpublishers to write business plans for publishing their comics. If i really love and want to reread and share a comic, ill buy the trades on amazon or look for it at a local used book store. Comic lounge has presented itself as a school and lounge with a printing company in the back.
Shortly after, diamond absorbed a nearly bankrupt capital city distribution. Its incredibly easy to get into the business, but once youre in, youre stuck. The owner of our local comic book shop is ready to retire. Comic books and illustrated novels have reached a wide audience, and many enthusiasts have taken the heroic leap into the retailing side. That could save you thousands of dollars in advertising costs.
I will be closing large bear comics on sunday, february 3. Last week, the producers behind a number of comic bookderived. Marks comics is closing after 36 years updated with. I think this is because comic book sales moved from the convenience store to the comic book store while book stores always concentrated on selling books.
Until then, we will be having a going out of business sale. Captain america comic book at a store in new york march 7, 2007. Bear in mind that opening a comics shop is very much a case of slapping the tar baby. Everything a comic book artist needs to make it in the business. For years, the independent bricksandmortar bookselling business has been under pressure from. Shelterathome order spells the end for mountain view business. Jul 01, 2017 sjw marvel helped put my local comic shop out of business comics matter wya boi zack. Aug 16, 2018 recent years have seen an increase not only in comic store closures, but the frequency of said closures 2017 alone saw at least 50 comic book stores close between january 2017 and january 2018, and unfortunately 2018 does not signal an end to the trend. Click on shop to browse our full catalog of wondrous goodies.
After serving comic book and graphic novel fans for more than 37 years, lee. Mailorder comics giant dcbs weighs in on coronavirus. For a comic book store, however, you need capital as well as passion for the medium. My nearest comic book store is almost 40 minutes away. D just curious if i can get some advice from people who might know. As india does not have single proper comic book store. Jun 22, 2018 the comic book store that kicked out a customer simply for their political leanings perceived is now in major financial trouble. In my last column, i gave you a list of things to research.