I know of a comic book store that also runs an anime movie rental service and appearantly does okay with it. I find that a lot of comic book readers are also engaged in anime. It might be a good field to enter into. Action figures are a good idea as well.
I don't think video games would be a good idea...there's a lot of ties to that sort of business and it' s not easy to work with unless you already have some ties to it. (connections)
Originally posted by Psyquis52
Oh yeah. Manga is basically Japanese comic books so I think the two go hand in hand. It's really hard to find a comic book store that carries a good selection of manga as well.
Hm. I'll have to check it out, I know that English translations are available online, but are they actually available as the manga itself, something other than translated scans? maybe its a dumb question. lol.
Originally posted by Psyquis52
I can't stress enough how important it is to read or listen to on audio book "How To Win Friends and Influence People"I put it off because the title made me feel like a goof-ball but it's actually really smart and easy to read.
It really is an incredible book and that whole Spearamint thing is true and it does work. I'm certain you don't have problems with mice but if you did that would definately due the job.
...yeah, um, can we turn off the infomercial? K, thanks.
🙄
Well the manga and stuff are great ideas, but overall I'd say once you make sure sure you have a killer selection you'll attraction costumers. The limited amount of titles they sell on the island are usually scattered so I end up having to drive all over the place for what i want. Having everything in a convenient location will def help.
Sorry, but I've never exactly seen much benefit in a bookstore/restaurant other than having a place to eat while you read the book without paying.
Customer service. I'm sure you already know this but your attitude towards your costumers will help. Befriend them, encourage them to stop by and bring their friends. Even have cards to hand out to new customers. I can't tell you how many times a smiling face has encouraged me to make purchases.
Be versatile. Make other types of books availible. Manga is good, but also novels, like some fantasy titles, might make good additions.
Seriously like Psyquis said, just put a lil spearmint to get rid of rats. Its a known fact rats hate all X-titles so I start by putting some spearmint around there
Hope I've been able to give you some fresh ideas
You definitely have helped, my next question was actually going to be towards selection. Obviously I have to have DC and Marvel stuff. I don't know much about other companies except Dark Horse. Any other names I should be aware of? (i'm still new to the comic world myself, the comic book shop I should say is kinda my husband's idea as well).
and also, employees. People constantly try to convince me to hire people over 21 saying they are "more responsible" am I the only one thinking that's bull crap? I'd rather hire anyone able to do the job, no matter the age, so long as they can do the job well.
Originally posted by BloodyAngel
You definitely have helped, my next question was actually going to be towards selection. Obviously I have to have DC and Marvel stuff. I don't know much about other companies except Dark Horse. Any other names I should be aware of? (i'm still new to the comic world myself, the comic book shop I should say is kinda my husband's idea as well).and also, employees. People constantly try to convince me to hire people over 21 saying they are "more responsible" am I the only one thinking that's bull crap? I'd rather hire anyone able to do the job, no matter the age, so long as they can do the job well.
Vertigo has a huge fan-base as well as Image. There was Valiant from back in the day and they had a fan base going for a while but now the only thing you see from them is those Turok shooting games. I'm a bit rusty on the rest but you'd be suprised what all people would buy so keep your options open and don't turn your back on any titles just because it's unfamiliar.
I agree with not putting an age restriction on hiring. Heck, if you know a responsible 16 year-old then hire her/him. My wife was more responsible than I am when she was 15 so don't close your doors on anyone younger for that reason but just the same I'm going to shoot out some stereotypes for you...
1.) Guys are usually less responsible than girls. Again these are stereotypes but seriously they do help.
2.) College students will call in at a moment's notice. They fake sick often because they want to do somethinig other than work.
3.) Women are hard to work with. Most girls like drama and will cause drama just to have something to talk about.
4.) Women can be incredibly competitive. Men are competitive physically. We like to play sports and video games. You can tell when a guy is being competitive. Women conive and use off-handed methods for their enemies. They can be very evil.
5.) Most men fake they don't know how to do something so we won't have to. It's true.
6.) Most ninjas wear black. It's not true. Don't you believe it.
7.) Psyquis is actually a girl's name. That's a lie from the pit of hell.
8.) Women are natural multi-taskers.
9.) Men are good for single tasks and long term projects
10.) Everybody from Indiana are inbreeders and generally bad people.
Again these are just stereotypes. I mean no offense to anyone. However, it might be helpful.
Also take a little time to research Personality Profilers. They can come in real handy. You can get a Sanguine/Melancholy personality profile test for free online if you look it up but if you want a really good personality profile test then I recommend the DISC personality profile, but that is a little expensive.
Alright, I realize this is an old and dead thread of mine, but I'm still considering this, might go back to school just to get my business degree so i can open this up.
Someone gave me the idea of, instead of a restaraunt, doing a Starbucks in there. I'm living in another town now, and it's fairly small, near the border of indiana, but someone said we needed a starbucks, etc, and I thought it wouldn't be a bad idea.
But I need something other than just comics, there's a comics store here already but it's never open, it might be shut down, from lack of business. I need some fresh ideas.
Originally posted by Broken Darkness
Alright, I realize this is an old and dead thread of mine, but I'm still considering this, might go back to school just to get my business degree so i can open this up.Someone gave me the idea of, instead of a restaraunt, doing a Starbucks in there. I'm living in another town now, and it's fairly small, near the border of indiana, but someone said we needed a starbucks, etc, and I thought it wouldn't be a bad idea.
But I need something other than just comics, there's a comics store here already but it's never open, it might be shut down, from lack of business. I need some fresh ideas.
to be honest, if there isn't the customer base for it, then i'd seriously recommend that you don't go ahead with it...
if there is the customer base, then why not do stuff like pub quizes (except, you know, with comics), with the winners getting free comics etc...
as long as you have the customer base and the up to date issues in stock, you should be alright...
Collectors Action Figures! Sell the latest and if possible rare action figures. There are times I skip the comics and go straight for the next A.F that will adorn my desk.
As for the "celebrities" go, it dont have to be real famous. My local comic book shop sometimes brings some guy from Babylon 5 and the place usually gets packed. Celebrities from old/cult shows might make an appearance cheap since a lot of them are has beens.
Originally posted by Broken Darkness
any other ideas anyone? its been suggested to me to eventually branch out to movies, video games, etc. what do you think?
I say NO. Because my aunt is opening a coffe shop and she wanted to have all thse like diffrent foods and all this other stuff and her advisor person said to just keep it simple and stick to the core stuff that your shop advertises (In your case comics and maybe manga) he said you dont want to get to complicated or else you'll end up having to much stuff and you wont be able to maintain it all.
Originally posted by HellMaster93
✅ God... I NEED A COMIC SHOP IN MY TOWN! The nearest is 2 hours away!
Same here, except change the two hours to five.
Originally posted by DigiMark007
The comic shop near my place is more than just comics...it's more like geek heaven. Magic: the Gathering card sets. Role-playing stuff (think D&D or Warhammer) along with figurines and such. And obviously, the latest comics titles as well as plenty of older comic stuff.It's certainly viable, provided you have the start-up cost covered. And the restaurant is interesting, but probably not needed. Would it really attract the same demographic?? Or would you chase away potential restaurant customers because it's attached to a comic store? I think that, unfortunately, is probably more likely. Comic customers can't sustain a restaurant by themselves.
Man I used to love Warhammer, the rules just got a little to complicated for me however....
I still know most of the plotlines and races, just the frikken rules which are annoying.