Though I do think there's a lot of truth in the lack of response on this thread, I do think that comparing it to the other threads is a wee bit misleading. When you take into account the relative few number of retailers and then factor in a percentage that would actually come to the retailer board, I'm not that surprised that we don't see a vibrant discussion taking place among retailers. That said, I do agree with James' implication that it would be nice to see more professionals and other insiders (where are the tarts, dagnabbit!) who aren't retailers contributing to this board.
I also don't believe that opening a comics store, given the right amount of research, is a bad idea. With the small numbers of retailers out there (3500?) there's definitely a market for new stores. I just can't agree with the doomsayers who cry that the whole industry is doomed. We are still going through an adjustment from the boom of '92-'93 (which you could probably argue wasn't much of a boom save for the rampant speculation)! And in many ways the headaches that go with running a store have settled down since the big distributor wars, too. Do your research, be realistic, and maintain excellent cashflow. Or, to put it another way, why wouldn't it work?

I agree - that's why I'm moving forward on opening it. What I think I have found, though, is that many people are not really interested in promotion or growing readership, which only gives me more confidence that I could succeed.

I also feel that the creators, publishers, distributors and retailers are all in this together. For my own sake, I plan on keeping everyone informed and working together to make my store a success. It just would be nice if this was always done - though I realize there are a lot of different ways of looking at things.

And I agree it would be great for more creators and industry insiders to chime in on topics like these.

Again, I ask: what are some of the different things that you all as retailers are doing on a local level to reach the public?

Guys, these questions have been asked and answered many times. If you want to get a response, ask some new ones. If these are the burning questions, go read to the retailing threads of the last year or so.

Can't cause they're not here any more.

And in the last year, I certainly have not seen any innovations or improvements by retailers in my area, nor in general. I think it is always valid to bring these points up and to try to find some answers.

At the least, you never know when a dialogue will take off and lead someone, somewhere, to a new idea that just might be the one.

sigh

As Jim Hanley said, this topic has been bandied about on these boards forever... I concur that Phil would do best to consult the archives of these boards for the threads relating to his interest.

I've talked my talk on this till the cows come home. Nothing's changed since then, whether a year or ten years previous, and I no longer care to discuss it unless there's some new twist to it.

Nothing personal, Phil, but do check out the threads. You might find some notions in there of interest or at least to answer your questions. Good luck.

Joem,

No improvement by Chicago Comics or Quimby's, I would be very much surprised.

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Comic Relief: THE Comic Bookstore

Rory - Just to be clear, neither Chicago Comics nor Quimby's NEED any improvement. They are absolute models when it comes to depth in a comics store.

But Chicago is a big town, and in the same area as Chicago Comics there are other places that could learn a thing or two. CC is currently where I shop - but there is room for others to push the envelope too.

Thats better.


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Comic Relief: THE Comic Bookstore