Opening a Comic Book Store Questions

**FlashG69** · 05-13-2012, 05:37 PM

Are any of you board members a comic book store owner?

I am at a point in my life where I can almost do whatever I want for my career, and I really want to do something I like. I've always thought about having my own comic book store (as I am sure most of us on here), so I am just looking for some advice. I obviously want to do a lot of research before I decide to pursue my dream, and I figured the Bendis Board would be a good place to start. I'm just looking for what to do/what not to do/or advice telling me to not do it at all!!

My background is that I have a business degree, have worked customer service most of my life, have collected comics for over half of my life, and I have helped start a business before.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!!

p.s. I did a search and couldn't find any threads that helped me with my questions, so I decided to start a new one.

**RickLM** · 05-13-2012, 06:21 PM

These articles are from Chuck Rozanski, who runs Mile High Comics. Scroll way down and he has a series of articles on How to Open a Comic Shop. He doesn't pull any punches.

http://www.milehighcomics.com/tales/main.html

**Jason California** · 05-13-2012, 06:32 PM

Kind of cool that 69 is in your name, and is a significant post from you. Am that it is 69

**James Patrick** · 05-13-2012, 06:33 PM

Consider gaming as a large part of revenue. Stock supplies, host events. A lot of shops fall back on this during slow periods or even focus on them when comics aren't selling. I'm not saying open a gaming shop; but it's good revenue. .

**SidekicksRevenge** · 05-13-2012, 06:53 PM

Find a place with foot traffic.

Be prepared for massive losses for a long time.

Find personable employees.

Be prepared for massive losses for a long time.

Be prepared for massive losses for a long time.

**Patton** · 05-13-2012, 06:53 PM

Is there already a store in your town?

**Thudpucker** · 05-13-2012, 06:56 PM

Originally Posted by James Patrick

Consider gaming as a large part of revenue. Stock supplies, host events. A lot of shops fall back on this during slow periods or even focus on them when comics aren't selling. I'm not saying open a gaming shop; but it's good revenue. .

I think that's good advice.

A LCS has to offer things that we can't buy on the internet (at a much lower price). Events, store signings, gaming sessions, ect. Give us a reason to travel to your store and see what you have to offer. A big thing for me is comic related merchandise. Toys, t-shirts, posters, odds and ends. I tend to buy things impulsively, the kind of things I had no idea existed until I see them in a store.

A well stocked inventory is important. Don't make people special order because if I have to wait for the item I'll just go home and order it myself. I can always find things cheaper on internet and mailing things to my home is easier than having to make a second trip to the LCS.

**FlashG69** · 05-13-2012, 07:05 PM

Thanks so much for the advice! So helpful.

There is a shop close to me, but I am looking at another area. I just need to do some market research and see if it would be profitable to put a shop there.

I have some ideas of my own I want to use that I haven't seen as much in other stores. I would like to make it unique, and market to avid collectors, and the newly interested people that have never been to a shop before.

**James Patrick** · 05-13-2012, 07:18 PM

Have a lit, attractive shop. It shouldn't look like a porno cave. It should be professional and organized. And look like a business.
If you have nice silver or golden age, have a nice display, and not them tacked up to the fucking walls in shitty bags.
Rebag backstock you buy. Don't have them in the yellow, floppy bags and not flush with the backboards because that's how you got them.
Hire neat, nice people. Not dudes with mayo on their ripped shirts. Hire people who understand comics. I used to go to a shop where they guy didn't like comics, was into games, and would shit talk the comics his shop sold. He'd also paint d and dd figures while you waited to check out. He'd go to lunch and put up a sign back in an hour, lock the door
Take advantage of events like Free comic book day and comic book movies, have conventions in your town so you can advertise, and just plain advertise initially.
Have signings with local pros. Who aren't douche bags.
Have a grand opening sale.

**James Patrick** · 05-13-2012, 07:23 PM

Oh, and make sure you carry these books.
Death comes to Dillinger, Angel Masks, Star Trek: Vulcans, Batman Confidential 49, Joker's Asylum: Harley Quinn, Green Arrow 13-15. Others . . . Buy multiple copies. Put them in the front of the store with a big fucking sign.