Comic Shops

[petey]

What do you look for in a comic shop? A friend and I are seriously considering opening our own shop. we got a few locations sized up, but what we need is some sort of help as to how it should be set up, the other shop in town is bland (a few wall books, figs, statues, long boxes, ect...) its like the owners wanted to cash in on our towns lack of shops. But we want ours to be "user friendly" so to speak. so any help would be greatly appreciated. thank you for your time.

 

[Silvermoth]

What do you look for in a comic shop? A friend and I are seriously considering opening our own shop. we got a few locations sized up, but what we need is some sort of help as to how it should be set up, the other shop in town is bland (a few wall books, figs, statues, long boxes, ect...) its like the owners wanted to cash in on our towns lack of shops. But we want ours to be "user friendly" so to speak. so any help would be greatly appreciated. thank you for your time.

Comic books.

 

[Harls]

LOL, Silvermoth.


But hmm... well, let's see. I'll tell you by examples...

There's this comic shop, let's call it Shop #1, that everyone used to go to for comics and stuff.

Then another shop opened (let's say Shop #2) a little bit away from it. I checked it out and definitely prefer #2 over #1. Why? Well, #2 has a nice interior. They have artwork and collectibles and cool trinkets decorating their small space, but it doesn't feel cluttered. They even have a couch and a few comfy chairs to relax in, and the walls are bright and there are several windows so you never feel closed in. It's just a great environment that I personally enjoy being in.

#1 is larger than #2, although it is dark and dank and extremely cluttered with boxes of older comics and walls of newer ones. There's dust on some of the collectibles or boxes, it has dark wood paneling that looks like it's been there forever, and it isn't very tidy or comfy. They do sell older comics, however, which is the only reason I go there (I buy all the new stuff at #2) - but I make my visits brief. Both shops have very nice workers/owners and they're all great guys to be around, but I just like the cleaner/friendlier aspect of #2.

But of course, I'm assuming males don't care what the place looks like, but I'm sure it makes a difference if your place is approachable.

Also, #2 has lots and lots of like, card nights (I'm not into them but all thosegames and stuff) and events and socials and they have the local improv actors over once in a while and host events with costumes and fun stuff It's great.

You just gotta appeal to the audience, man.

 

[petey]

thanks harls your #1 sounds like our towns only shop. silvermoth comics are going to be there. what about featuring local self published work is that a yay or nay?

 

[The Geek Vault]

Here's something to consider; like Harls did I'm going to use the shop1 and shop2 scenario given that their are two shops in my area each equal distance away from each other. Shop1 is a bit smaller than shop2 but it has more of a mom and pop at home feel to the store. Although shop2 is much more extravagant with many giant statues and old video game systems around shop1 just is easier to navigate and given the small size the owners of the store seem to know their customers better. One thing I've always wanted in a comic book store was a lounge area (much like in Kick-Ass with the cafe). Maybe a couch with a tv and you guys would have movie nights there of some sort?

 

[BizarroAids]

If you're going to open a shop of you're own, you should always keep your customers on your mind.

For my friends and I, the main thing we love about the shop we visit, is the owners know what we like. She always throws in titles that she knows we will enjoy. And it's not just us. She knows all of her customers, even the newer ones.

Now, granted we've been going there for 15 years, I strongly believe that in a comic shop; you really should get to know the clientel. For most kids, it's a comfort zone. Especially those that go there for the card games.

Anyway, good luck on your venture, if you choose to persue it. Also, posters and figures make great wall decorations if done correctly.

 

[petey]

The Geek Vault we've actually considered the lounge aspect, we think it would give the place a more "it's cool to hangout here" relaxed vibe. as opposed to the few shops in driving distance which seem like "buy your stuff and get out" so thats a real cool idea.

BizzaroAids thats another good point it helps alot with the argument of how should it be staffed. my friend and I both believe it should be a small staff. not like some stores where everytime you go in its someone diffrent behind the register.

great ideas so far keep em up.

 

[William_C]

Knowledgeable staff, but approachable. Have you and your workers leave the smug, know-it-all **** at the door. A good enviroment like Petey said where you can feel comfortable to just come in and look around for a few hours without feeling like you have to hurry up, look, and then leave.

The comic book store I stay going to 'Collectible's ETC.' is the only one out of like, 4 or 5 that I go to in my city because they know me on a first name basis, they take the time to get to know you when come in often, ask you about how everything outside of comics, and offer to go out for beers and the like. Just cool stuff like that on top of having a generous offering of comic books, long boxes, trade paperbacks and various other products. Variety is important. As much as you can afford.

 

[petey]

william c thats exactly how we figured the staff should be. like cheers but in a comic shop.

 

[William_C]

lol thats perfect I think. Have an occasional event - for card players once a week maybe, or hook up with local events and have booths out if you can. Etcetera. I think you'll be golden.

 

[Prison Mike]

Aren't comic shops going out business? Will you have enough customers to stay afloat?

 

[The Geek Vault]

Do events! like movie nights and such!

 

[Harls]

thanks harls your #1 sounds like our towns only shop. silvermoth comics are going to be there. what about featuring local self published work is that a yay or nay?

Local work as in books? Maybe you could do a special feature like once a month or something, but generally people aren't going to go for that as much as the main stuff. Also, my #2 shop (the one I visit most frequently) knew a friend of theirs who painted this gorgeous, giant portrait of Harley Quinn. I adored that thing (it was perfect!), and then someone bought it off of them, lol. So a few things like that might be nice, and would certainly spark conversations.

The Geek Vault we've actually considered the lounge aspect, we think it would give the place a more "it's cool to hangout here" relaxed vibe. as opposed to the few shops in driving distance which seem like "buy your stuff and get out" so thats a real cool idea.

BizzaroAids thats another good point it helps alot with the argument of how should it be staffed. my friend and I both believe it should be a small staff. not like some stores where everytime you go in its someone diffrent behind the register.

great ideas so far keep em up.

Lounge is good. You want it to be comfortable, a place where people want to stay. Also, about the staff.. at my #2 store the two guys that opened it were long time friends who've always loved comics. For months, it was just them, and then I think just a few weeks ago they hired another guy (again, someone they already knew and trusted). So now there's only three people and it's a pretty small shop, but it works out fine. We're all on a first-name basis and they greet me when I come in and remember what stuff I like and whatnot.

Also, make sure you have a box/folder system, where customers can let you know what issues they want and you put it in there for them right away so they can pick it up at their convenience, and are guaranteed the issue they want.

A nice, clean, simple website would also be beneficial. And even a facebook page once you've gotten some rep. #2's website is for store hours, about them, how to get there etc, while their facebook is updated with pictures and descriptions of what they get in every Wednesday and any events they host.

I also should mention you should probably look for other stuff to sell there, because comics alone probably won't do it. #2 sells statues, posters/artwork, Uglydolls, a few select comic collectibles and toys, and lots of other trinkets, plus soda and snacks. It really opens up to your audience!

Now one last thing that's already been mentioned.... be friendly. Even if #2's store was all awesome but there were total creepers or jerks as workers, I wouldn't go there. I was so nervous first going there because I had gotten negative reactions being a girl in a comic store before but they were so friendly and open and really welcoming, we've become friends since they opened.

(Jeez, I ramble a lot. I hope I don't come off as a know-it-all or something - I don't know the first thing about opening up a shop. I just know that as a customer, these are things I look for!)

Best of luck

 

[petey]

thanks y'all keep it coming if there is anything to add.

prison mike they may be dying but the market is there for them as long as they are done right.

you dont come across as a know it all harls you know what you look for and thats exactly what i ased for, plus its a benefit to get feedback from a woman's perspective.

 

[The Geek Vault]

Just outta curiousity Petey where is your store going to be located?

 

[petey]

monroe michigan

 

[zanos]

I wonder how your little comic book is going to survive. Comics aren't exactly in huge demand these days. It satisfies a very small niche market.

 

[BlackLantern]

you also have to balance "place of business" with "hangout spot", people get too friendly and all of a sudden things start to go missing or people reading issue after issue and not buying

the shop I go to, they just moved into a new space, has that balance...they have the occasional game or card night, but everything on the shelf is in sleeves, except for magazines and if you have a file you have to keep at least 5 titles in it

 

[Prison Mike]

I don't even go to the shops. I wait for the issues to get collected in graphic novel form and then buy it on amazon.

 

[Scourge2099]

I usually wait until the tpb comes out for any story arc I like and buy it. I rarely buy individual issues anymore.

 

[Holiday]

you also have to balance "place of business" with "hangout spot", people get too friendly and all of a sudden things start to go missing or people reading issue after issue and not buying

That's good advice, my nearest shop had to close off the lounge area to customers because some things came up missing.


The most important thing to me in a shop would be reliability. Occasionally my shop fails to order some of the books I ask for and it's pretty annoying. They're cool about correcting their mistakes but it'd be nice to have my books ready to pick up when I'm there that day without any complications.

I'd go elsewhere if a better shop was around, honestly.

 

[Bnightwing]

A good subscription system, not a rat hole, a one dollar bin, people working knowing what they are talking about, good prices, and a good atmosphere.

 

[JStorm]

Comic books.

We're done here.


Ok. . for serious. I've spoken to my shop several times, wondering why they are the only shop in a town of over 500,000. I figured there would be at least one more shop, but there isn't. My shop is more than just a comic book store. They supply an area for gamers, and such. But their biggest front is an exchange book store. Customer's can exchange books he or she read, buy and sale, etc. Without that pull, the shop would not last with just the comics and games alone.

So I thought, this was just an answer given because we are in a recession, not the case. When I brought that up, they made points of other shops that were in my town, in the booming 90s, and how they failed because all they sold was comics. They could not stay afloat. I remembered these shops, one in particular, and even like said shop over the one I go to now. It was a real comic book store, wall to wall geekgasm, instead of a book store/comic shop.

Point being, I believe then in the idea that there has to be more than one option, and I mean more than just comics and games. This idea does work. I had a shop, while in college, that stayed afloat, because of the several options he had: comics, games, card, game night, movie night, used DVD's - a real decent selection and prices, etc. The comics, games and card are self explanatory. Movie night was a way to build client loyalty and enjoyment, I guess. He would have a movie night, with a projector and served popcorn and soda's to his major clients. If said client brought a friend, and that friend bought something, the client got a gift, usually one free comic from one's usual weekly buy. Sure it was only 3 bucks of one's list that week, but the idea encouraged us to bring folks in. Game night was similar, save for he had a membership fee. Seems like much, until one saw how much he put into the room. The role playing table was huge and elaborate, not to mention the couch and flat screen he had, if one wanted to just hang, instead of playing that evening.

 

[Morg]

Aren't comic shops going out business? Will you have enough customers to stay afloat?

My comic shop now sells other items like games, videos and more. Just selling comics don't pull enough $$$ anymore

 

[Mace Dolex]

What I look for in a store is neatly stacked comics where their easily visible, nothing cluttered, special discounts and availability which is why I go to two different comic stores because one store will have what the other don't.

For the past months due to spending budgets I've had to cut back on comics though.