As the shift in comic distribution and bad economy continues worsen (here’s hoping the economy is on a recovery), the small comic book shops are going to continue to close. We heard about this during the 100th issue of the Major Spoilers Podcast, and my own comic book shop closed about five years ago. Word came from Fantom Comics that it was also closing its store in the Washington, D.C. area, but instead of leaving all of its customers in the cold, it is switching to home delivery.
According to the company website, there is a $15 minimum order for non-subscribers, but once you meet that minimum and live in the area, they will deliver the comics to your home for free.
Deliveries will take place every Wednesday (11am-7pm) and Saturday (noon-6pm).
We will deliver to any home or office within the following zip codes: 20007, 20008, 20015, 20016, 20815 and 20816.
Subscribers have no minimum purchase requirements. For non-subscribers the minimum is $15.
I mentioned my own comic book store (located an hour and a half away) closed its door about five years ago, but my comic service was never interrupted as James moved the business into his home. For those of us located far away, he simply bills us for the shipping charge, which isn’t a huge amount. For those in Salina, he gets together each week with the comic readers at a local restaurant, they wine and dine, talk about the current comics, and then go on their merry way with their weekly stash.
I’m glad businesses are figuring out ways to adapt in these changing times, and it ensures that comic shops – even in a different form, will continue for many years.
1 Comment
Exactly what a comic shop should do: take care of their regulars when sales go south. Keep those people still in the circle and if you can get a store open again, you already have a customer base in place.