The past few years of divisiveness have resulted in the need for me to take a vacation. Several patrons over these past few weeks have both verbally and emotionally assaulted my resolve to run the store. Rather than engage in verbal or ideological conflict, I elected to enact my own defensive measure.
The store will not be available to the general public from April 24th through May 14th. This will only apply to walk in patrons. Subscription customers will be allowed to knock on the door and enter to pick up their pre-orders. You will also be allowed to stay and talk, shop, or simply vent about your day.
We all know that not everyone agrees on how society should be. The current divisions over political views, gender orientation, gun control, and generalized opposition have just brought these differences of opinion to the surface. Never would I repress or belittle someone for their stance on anything, but lately I have been the victim of these very actions.
While we are temporarily closed, I will once again begin moving the store fixtures and organizing the many things I have ignored this past year. This includes creating a separate area restricting access to back issue to those patrons who order comics per the store subscription policy. It is our intent to process the 100,000 plus comics scattered about the store. Walk in patrons will not have access to these other than those added to the website as we process.
Obviously, Google searches will show us as “temporarily closed” which we elected to do in order to prevent the uninformed from driving to the store thinking access is available. Rumors will start, which only means that no effort was made to verify our status. Not concerned. Our concern has been, is, and will continue to be the patrons who love comics and behave like the heroes portrayed in the stories we all love so much.
I appreciate your support and patience as I mend the fracture society has inflicted and I hope to see you soon.
Sorry to hear that; hope you get the break you need!
The implication of this post is that Free Comic Book Day (Saturday, May 6) will NOT be a thing at your store; correct?
Correct, as with past years we have provided everything to the libraries. Algonquin, Crystal Lake, Cary, Ella Johnson and McHenry.
Sorry to hear this has been going on. Pre pandemic Heroclix and comics kept me going and your store was a second home for many. If there’s anything I can do to help please let me know.