When opening a comic book shop, you must seriously love comics. Stop in and see us at our montreal comic book store, we are comic books. Mile high comics provides new, used, and collectible comic books, trade paperbacks, hardcovers, and statues for comic book collectors seeking new and back issues. What are the costs involved in opening a comic book store.
But as soon as i learned to have those blinders, when i walk into a comic book shop there are things that i want that are there. President trumps comic book came out on monday, in the form of his budget proposal. Opening a comic bookstore may be your dream, but dont make it a reality if you cant part with the merchandise. The stereotype of comic book guy exists because there really are shop owners like that scattered around the country. I would also add that, while comic books are a reliable seller, collectibles are a great thing to carry as well. Comic book store owners biggest mistakes if you are thinking of opening a comic book store, here are some of the biggest mistakes that comic book store and probably every other collectible store owners make. Why are comics shops closing as superheroes make a mint. Everything is designed to give you the best comic reading experience, it load comic books immediately, reading is fluid and comfortable even on slow computer. I worked in a small family owned comic store for 2 years in minneapolis.
Comic books, marvel comics, dc, image, independents, statues, action figures, graphic novels, online comic bookstore. I went from just cleaning to actually opening and closing by myself and i was only in. Get all the tips, tools, and support you need to start, run, and grow your comic book business. Nothing can be worse than going to a comic book store that carries nothing that is remotely. Freeport comic book shop to open on free comic book day. A comic book store makes money by purchasing comic books and and reselling them for a profit. Opening a comic books shop start a comic books trading business. Stevens has been a comic book owner for approximately oneandahalf years and he states that he is an absentee manager so he has five employees. Comic books and illustrated novels have reached a wide audience, and many enthusiasts have taken the heroic leap into the retailing side. The notion crossed my mind years and years ago, when my local comic book shop closed down, and i thought i could do a better job. I will no longer simply give prospective comics retailers advice on the paths to follow to get a store open. What is motivating me to write this series of columns on opening a comics retail store is a sincere desire to not repeat past mistakes. We offer modern, bronze age, silver age, and golden age comics.
Comic book owners explain how to start a comics retail. We always strive for improvement and encourage each other along the way. Id open a game shop that sells comics before i just opened a comic shop. Blastoff comics owner explains why most comic book stores. The owners werent very friendly or customer service oriented and all but two finally closed. I have 3 other partners, a business plan, a location in mind and a crowd funding. Find out why comic book shops are a great place to discover comics and join a community of people just like you. When adam makey told his mother that he wanted to open a comic shop, she laughed out loud. Opening a new brick and mortar shop comics general cgc.
There is no viable secondary market for comics stores, so if you open one, its usually true that the only way out is to close it. Comic books is and will always be a passion that gets you. President trump has finally released his comic book the. The publication is available to both comic shop retailers and consumers. That comic shop that comic shop is a local family run. Nothing can be worse than going to a comic book store that carries nothing that is remotely attractive to customers, or a store proprietor who doesnt know a thing about the comic collection. As a new store you can not just open and expect the people to find you. Any retail store will require all three to keep the doors open and the. If they dont have what youre looking for they will do everything possible to try and get it for you, plus they put up with my controversial comic conversation, these guys are saints, and am very happy to give them my business every week. For years, the independent bricksandmortar bookselling business has been under pressure from. In this video i talk about about meeting with the sba, getting a small business loan, and what goes into a business plan. A successful comic book store requires you to handle collections of books, and possibly related paraphernalia like action figures that you may want to add to your. We passed by one of my childhood comic book stores in egg harbor city and to our surprise the door was open and the owner was standing out.
We suggest heading directly to each retailers website for more details such as store hours and more. If we dont, add it to your want list and well notify you when its in stock. Comic book stores are generally lowtech, down to earth establishments that don t need a lot of visibility in a hightraffic storefront but can be in a less expensive. Whether you need to pick up a subscription of the latest comic books, find the perfect game or accessories for a table top adventure, or find a new hobby altogether, weve got you covered. As i said in my last column, opening a comics store is very easy. The new store owner hired daniel bailey, the former owner of zimmies in lewiston, as the stores manager. Three basic and fundamental costs associated with a comic shop. As a man not of this planet, gary arlington was a naturalborn outsider and thus an ideal comic shop proprietor.
When you visit a comic book shop, youre stepping into a world of wonders. Please also check out our series so you wanna open a comic shop have you ever thought of owning your own comic book shop. Despite the launch of comicbook apps such as the amazonowned comixology or marvels unlimited, comics have weathered digital challenges. Luckily we have done a lot of this research for you. The comic store offers a wide variety of collectibles. Find out whats happening at your local comic book shop with our 2020 calendar of special occasions and in store events. 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. If youre looking for a hard to find back issue, we probably have it. Cdisplay ex is a light, efficient and free cbr reader, and it is also the most popular comic book reader. Free special edition batman comics for the first 75 people in today plus a really cool special.
You can also spread the word about your favorite local comic book shop on yelp or social media. Below are just a few of the many stores in the comics industry and their offerings. For a comic book store, however, you need capital as well as passion for the medium. The comic book store indias first licensed comic book store. Your source for new and back issue comic books and collectibles. With a comic book store, you can turn your dream of showcasing and selling new and vintage comic books into a reality while exposing new customers to the comic book genre, provide collectors with an assortment of characters, and older customers with memories of their childhood. The purchasing guide for starting a comic book store. Find out whats happening at your local comic book shop with our 2020 calendar of special occasions and instore events. We are a comic book but more than anything, we are comic book readers. At last weve come to the nitty gritty of retailing. Learn about the daytoday activities of a comic book store owner, the typical target market, growth potential, startup costs, legal considerations, and more. Gary arlington 19382014, owner of the first comic book. In 1967, he founded the first comic book shop in the united states, the san francisco comic book company, on 23rd and mission. Blanch is partnered with tiny titans and she opens new stores.
Sell online, in store, at a kiosk, and everywhere in between while keeping track of all your sales, orders, and inventory using the. Subscribe to marvel unlimited to access thousands of digital comics for one low price. Jud explains the importance of planning, developing a. Offering you the option to purchase your comic books online or instore.
The key to this business is to be a successful trader. Comic book owners explain how to start a comics retail store at. A newish comic shop in my town ran commercials during the first half of the new seasons of arrow and the flash. We learn what typically happens within the first 6 months to 1 year of opening a business. Blanch has been in business for a couple of years, having bought out an owner when they had decided to sell their comic book store. But more importantly, all of us have relatives who are age or healthcompromised. President trump has finally released his comic book. Tales from the database mile high comics, chuck rozanski. The two most significant costs involved in opening. The ever growing ship miniature game of star wars and star trek from wiz kids and fantasy flight are prominently displayed.
By michele brittany, west coast correspondent founder of free comic book day joe field established flying colors comics located in. Sell comic books online start an online comic store. We also have a full selection of wiz kids games and fun tournament play is usually held on saturdays. Dont think you can jump right into the world of retail sales without a solid business plan. I opened up a comic book store last year and we are doing well. There was a large learning curve in opening a comic book store, and since the experience is still fresh i want to share my experiences with anyone who might be. He has the added benefit that there is a university nearby. When i lived in nevada a number of small stores opened and closed around the city where i grew up. We are devoted to what we do and we love what we do. That comic shop is a family friendly environment with a community of like minded individuals selling comics and trade paper backs, magazines, novels and geek merchandise in. Comic book stores sell comic books and related paraphernalia, such as action figures, models, posters, and more.
Were the wiregrass areas friendly local game and comic shop. This article was amended on 26 april 2019, the remove a picture of megacity comics in camden town, london as an example of a comic book shop. Gauntlet comic books is north miamis premiere comic book shop. My shop, and all of the shops in the dayton area, are still open. Any retail store will require all three to keep the doors open and the lights on. A successful comic book store requires you to handle collections of books, and. Click on one of the locations to view calendar and contact information for that location.
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