I thought my local comic shop was overpriced until I saw their rent bill.

I was at the Comic Cave in Springfield last Tuesday, ready to complain about a $5 price hike on a new trade paperback. The owner, Mike, was behind the counter looking stressed, and when I asked, he just pointed to a notice from the building manager taped to the register. Their monthly rent went up by $800 starting this month. I bought the book and didn't say a word. How do other small shops near you handle these kinds of cost jumps without losing customers?

3 comments

3 Comments

riley581mo agoTop Commenter

Rent going up $800 is brutal. My local spot just started looking like a storage unit with a cash register.

thompson.xena1mo agoMost Upvoted

Ugh, I read a piece about that exact thing riley58 is talking about.

ivancoleman24d ago

Is Mike actually making any moves to change things up, or is he just stuck in that storage unit look riley58 mentioned? I noticed at a shop near me they started doing more events like sketch nights and artist signings to pull in foot traffic without raising prices on everything. That way they make a little extra cash from entry fees and merch sales, but they also keep the regulars happy. Are places near you trying anything creative like that, or are they just quietly eating the cost and hoping nobody notices?