A Comic Book Store's Fight To Survive | The Long Haul | Ep. 2 | Forbes
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- Опубликовано: 11 окт 2024
- Episode 2: Baltimore:
Comic book store owner Rob Reese outlines the unique challenges facing the niche industry. When he took the reins of 41-year-old Alternate Worlds Comics last fall, he could never have anticipated what he's up against today.
About The Series:
Before the coronavirus arrived in America, Forbes Creative Director of Video Nick Graham had committed to moving from New York to Los Angeles to establish a new video production hub. As the pandemic grew and changed life as we know it, he and his family made the difficult decision to move forward with the relocation as planned. They are driving cross-country in an RV, and documenting the stories they discover along the way. This is The Long Haul.
Previous Episodes:
Episode 1: Brooklyn: • One Family's Move Acro...
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I miss private owed comic stores... these businesses need to be saved.
The industry changed. I buy digital now. I love floppy comics, they were a huge part of my life and I cherish the ones that I have. But after awhile they start taking up too much space.
I miss most privately owned businesses
Any comic book shop that hasn't got plenty of back issues and an online store is going to struggle
*Any comic book shop t̶h̶a̶t̶ ̶h̶a̶s̶n̶'̶t̶ ̶g̶o̶t̶ ̶p̶l̶e̶n̶t̶y̶ ̶o̶f̶ ̶b̶a̶c̶k̶ ̶i̶s̶s̶u̶e̶s̶ ̶a̶n̶d̶ ̶a̶n̶ ̶o̶n̶l̶i̶n̶e̶ ̶s̶t̶o̶r̶e̶ is going to struggle
@@Alvosploio I don't get it
@@AnjelCaido69 read the sentence without the words that are struck through. Comic stores are dying
@@Alvosploio well there's a lot of exceptions every comic store in my area is doing really well
Most Comic stores in the uk don't really have back issues. They mainly sell merch and graphic novels these days. Everything has moved online, eBay mainly. Fees and high postage has turned any back issue into a $5 + purchase. Its frustrating but a low grade book wouldn't even be worth the postage and fees if the price was free. Then of course the seller trys to make a few cents by shipping the book with no protection whatsoever.
For what it's worth, I grew up in Baltimore and first went to Alternate Worlds in the early to mid 80s. At that point it was a small store in the basement of a building. Throughout the years that store has moved to different locations, but always been a staple in the Baltimore area gaming/comic community. The original owners JUST retired last October and Rob took the reins - huge shoes to fill, and he's done a great job, especially given the recent circumstances. He's been creating and working on the online store/presence, doing live stream events for when new merchandise comes in, reaching out to the community making sure people know that there's curbside pickup as well as options to have things shipped - all of this on the heels of taking charge of a 40+ year old business. It's a tough time for small retail business, and Rob is working really hard to make it through these times. I'm happy that someone with as much passion and gumption as Rob is at the wheel.
Yea its tough for book stores especially the comic book store industry we need them to survive and keep telling these stories especially for the next generation.
He makes some good points.. though I feel that the comic book industry specifically comic book stores will not loose to the COVID-19 situation. I feel that if they utilized the internet and online sales during this time of need and they could maximize sales and profitability while being able to maintain their livelihood.
God bless this man
This is heartbreaking. He seems like a really nice guy.
Yea
Sadly the virus just pushed us to the tipping point ahead of schedule. I love local books stores, and thrill of the hunt for comics and collectibles. But the machine that supplies and fuels these shops has been making it harder for them to do what they do for years. Living a life at home with both work and shopping has shown us how doing it all from the couch is easier. Here comes the Wall-E population, me included unfortunately.
To be fair, if you don’t get your comics like
Booze you won’t go through withdrawals and have to go to a hospital and take up space. I do hope comic book shops are able to stay open regardless
Buying comics online isn't as fun as going into a comic shop and going through the long boxes,plus you get to see all the new books that has come out that week.I do think if all comic shops would have a little cafeteria with Drinks,coffee machine, breakfast and maybe hamburgers it would help get people in there.
Wasn't Forbes one of many publications that clickbait and doused fire on GamerGate, ComicsGate etc. The same outlet that made it worse gloating in a feigning report.
Don't forget that they support modern feminism which tried to kill comics back in the day with the comics code of authority. Buncha hypocrites.
Liquor Stores have 💸business💸 with the Government.
Good point
Liquor stores are essential because they prevent people who are addicted to alcohol from going to the hospital and taking up a bed for withdrawal. This is my go to comic place and I know that all the regulars will flock back as soon as we can or will make online purchases if able
I quit alcohol cold turkey and I was a high functioning drunk.
Then you were not that bad off, a lot of alcoholics bodies will shut down if they do not get alcohol and have to be slowly weened off
you are ignoring the fact that lots of drinkers go to bars and clubs to get their buzz on.
You could create a subscription model type of business where you ship "random" issues to the customer. Create some type of niche.
I'm in the uk so maybe things were different where you are. The thing with the Liqueur store is that the bars closed. If people couldn't get a drink the lock down would have collapsed pretty fast. I honestly don't think the government would have survived. The Liqueur stores were essential... to the politicians. Not trying to make lite of your situation. Hope you came through the other side.
I got kicked out of a comic book store because I lost my facemask.
I wouldn’t compare a liquor store and a comic book shop
You no sir there is a saying in the marines everyone want to go to heaven . But no one wants to die.have another one you cannot win the war against the world if you can't win the war against your own mind.be strong sir don't give up do it for us the comic readers .👍🏼
a marine comic reader and there is a saying the marines have a saying everyone want to go to heaven but no one want to die .it's self diseplin my brother be strong I feel your pain sir
A "safe bet"? To whom? Comic sales have plummeted the last few years
That wasn't a fair comparison. I think some of us need alcohol to take off the edge of anxiety and stress, especially new stresses like being locked up. A good comparison would be Starbucks, most people can make coffee at home. There's laws for making alcohol at home (at least here in CA). I feel for him though, he's forced closed when people are spending their stimulus checks like no tomorrow.
You need to depend on a bottle to get you through life? Lmao Might as well call it medication for you😂Plus, didn’t you hear him!? Reading comics helps other get away from the real world and enjoy themselves.
@@sirpuss5887 Says someone names Sir Puss lmao.
I take the edge off with comics, alcohol is mostly for people that don’t want to feel.
I would suggest looking up Delta Dogs at Millennialcomic.com
2:00 you both are not essential
but i do feel for him as i have just opened my store when all of this happened
he needs to transfert his store to an online one
it takes time to put in all the products so better start early
i have been doing so for a month and i'm still not done ( since i need to put a lot of infos ... )
He’s definitely essential business
so sad
the vocal fry is so annoying
2nd
THIS is one of 1,000,000,000 reasons why WE NEED A UBI. People can't survive without one AFTER Covid. There's no going back!
Sad
Educational entertainment?? Hahaha ... you’re reaching hard buddy.
A comic book is not an essential work place
It is if it's your business and you need to pay your mortgage and put food on the table.
Neither is the liquor store! That's the point...
It's not for you to judge sunshine!
Vellss King
Shut up. No one asked you.