Everybody told me not to so I opened a comic shop 2 2

[NoMan]

Congrats on store. I do live in LA and will make a point next time I’m up Filmore/Magic Mountain way to stop in and spend money. 

Congrats again. What a nice looking store. Your hard work shows!

[romanheart]

If you don't mind sharing the LCS knowledge,...

1) How much of your sales is on comics, and how much is on other things (games, statues,...)?

2) What percentage of comic sales are on the new stuff as opposed to back issues?

 

[Abizoath]

Congratulations on the store opening! My only suggestions/comments as a former comic book store employee are these: Avoid merchandise; especially short or long boxes of books being on the floor or close to the ground. Most people don't like crouching or bending down to rifle through boxes due to stress on knees and back, especially comic book collectors, they'll do short flip thrus but not long looks. And there is always the odd person who isn't paying attention to where they are walking and end up kicking the boxes. Same thing applies to the glass displays up front. And for wall-art, I saw that you don't quite have your Diamond account set up yet so you haven't received all of those folded posters they send yet, but resist the urge to cover bare wall space with event posters unless you are sure that you will constantly rotate them out and have an eye for spacing. Nothing screams unkempt nineties comic book store more than a busy confused wall of outdated event posters with creases all over them. I suggest using original comic book art in frames or purchased rolled classic comic art posters in frames evenly spaced to cover empty wall space. Otherwise, looks great! 

[D84]

Nice looking store.  I lived in LA for years and when I come back to visit, I drop by your store.

[Robot Man]

Congrats on your new store. Looks nice. Hard not to make any money when your rent is so low. Hopefully, you will get some decent walk in collections. Although, there just aren’t a lot of vintage books around any more. 

I can see why you are hesitant about current, new books. I would think, if you were careful, it could add to the bottom line. A lot of folks still buy Moderns. 

The store near me does no back issues. Just Moderns, toys, T-Shirts and game cards. They seem to be doing well. 

I would think it would be hard making it on just back issues. Too hard to keep a decent stock. 

I live about 45 minutes away. Got much GA or SA? I love to box dive. Would it be worth the drive for me?

Edited October 3, 2019 by Robot Man

[Pirate]

so got a bad location for half the rent,  sounds like a plan.

[thoughtmrbenn]

Looks amazing - that would be a dream of mine to have a comic shop like that!  Good luck!

[porcupine48]

1 hour ago, Robot Man said:

Congrats on your new store. Looks nice. Hard not to make any money when your rent is so low. Hopefully, you will get some decent walk in collections. Although, there just aren’t a lot of vintage books around any more. 

gI can see why you are hesitant about current, new books. I would think, if you were careful, it could add to the bottom line. A lot of folks still buy Moderns. 

The store near me does no back issues. Just Moderns, toys, T-Shirts and game cards. They seem to be doing well. 

I would think it would be hard making it on just back issues. Too hard to keep a decent stock. 

I live about 45 minutes away. Got much GA or SA? I love to box dive. Would it be worth the drive for me?

Don't be miserable,go and visit!  Must make a nice ride on the cycle?

[Cruzin' Thru Comics]

Sorry for the late response, been busy with the shop and still working full time. Thanks for all the positive feedback and suggestions! We’ve been getting more customers in gradually day by day so I’m glad for that. The boxes on the floor are just $1 books. I’m going to put some of that foam flooring there so it’s more comfortable. I have to put those boxes there for now. They’re short boxes so don’t see a problem with them being in the way.

So far most sales have been back issues and some trades/hardcovers. Hardly any new books sold so far. I’m going to try and be the “comic” shop of Santa Clarita. Other stores carry some but I’m going to have a lot more. That’s why I picked this place. Rent is cheap and I think will do fine concentrating on old comics. 

I have some silver and bronze. Some gold (not too much). I have Alot of silver and bronze I haven’t brought to the shop. Still gotta price. I’m a DC fan so most are those. Lots of Batman, Flash Jla etc...  I have lots of Gold/Silver Dc war and pre code war. Let me know and I can bring to the shop. 

[Cruzin' Thru Comics]

6 minutes ago, porcupine48 said:

Don't be miserable,go and visit!  Must make a nice ride on the cycle?

 

1 hour ago, Robot Man said:

Congrats on your new store. Looks nice. Hard not to make any money when your rent is so low. Hopefully, you will get some decent walk in collections. Although, there just aren’t a lot of vintage books around any more. 

I can see why you are hesitant about current, new books. I would think, if you were careful, it could add to the bottom line. A lot of folks still buy Moderns. 

The store near me does no back issues. Just Moderns, toys, T-Shirts and game cards. They seem to be doing well. 

I would think it would be hard making it on just back issues. Too hard to keep a decent stock. 

I live about 45 minutes away. Got much GA or SA? I love to box dive. Would it be worth the drive for me?

I have quite a bit of s/a. Some g/a. 

Near full runs of Bronze Age marvel mags. 

Horror mags 

also, I’m taking my joker cover collection  about 5 short boxes worth. Silver age and up  

I got a lot of stuff. Lol 

[Cruzin' Thru Comics]

If anyone is considering going to the shop let me know what you’re looking for. Might have at home if not at shop yet. Also here are a couple new pics. Got some Stan Lee signed prints 

Edited October 3, 2019 by Cruzin' Thru Comics

[BlowUpTheMoon]

How do you plan to keep the overhead lights from damaging the books? 

[Cruzin' Thru Comics]

3 minutes ago, BlowUpTheMoon said:

How do you plan to keep the overhead lights from damaging the books? 

Turn them off and have people search in the dark. 

 

I don’t know. I’ve never seen a comic shop with no lights. Would be kind of hard to see, no?  All shops I’ve seen have way more light than I do. 

[Cruzin' Thru Comics]

I’m hoping I sell the books and rotate them out so any light damage will be minimal. We do get sunlight in there but keep shades drawn. I think sunlight way worse 

[James J Johnson]

12 minutes ago, Cruzin' Thru Comics said:

All shops I’ve seen have way more light than I do. 

That's why. You've got  technical background. Overkill. Add enough lighting that the waves emanating will phase cancel each other out.     And don't give me that, "Wait a minute. That only applies to acoustics", answer.     Think Yoda. "Do. Or do not. There is no try".  

[Robot Man]

4 hours ago, porcupine48 said:

Don't be miserable,go and visit!  Must make a nice ride on the cycle?

Easy for you to say. Ever driven the LA freeways? Riding a motorcycle that far around here is a death wish...

[batmiesta]

Just saw this John, your set up looks great, I would like to add my wishes to a successful venture into something you love doing, all the best mate.

A near full run of Bronze Marvel magazines? What condition are they in? 

[porcupine48]

2 hours ago, Robot Man said:

Easy for you to say. Ever driven the LA freeways? Riding a motorcycle that far around here is a death wish...

Yeah,I'm not over familiar with the local  

(but he has SA and GA)

[Cruzin' Thru Comics]

59 minutes ago, batmiesta said:

Just saw this John, your set up looks great, I would like to add my wishes to a successful venture into something you love doing, all the best mate.

A near full run of Bronze Marvel magazines? What condition are they in? 

I’ll check them when I get home. Haven’t taken to shop yet. I have near complete runs of deadly hands of king fu, planet of the apes (magazine size), marvel horror titles etc. Most higher grade. I acquired them from a shop owner who retired. He had an incredible collection. 

Edited October 4, 2019 by Cruzin' Thru Comics

[the blob]

Awesome updates. Man oh man if I could rent a storefront for $700 a month in any viable locale around here I'd probably be all over it, although a shop that opens at 5:45 or whenever I get home from work may not be viable.