How Are Local Comic Shops Coping During The Shut-Down, Part Two

THE MAROON HORNET COMICS AND COLLECTIBLES in Oxford, PA is a small, newer comic shop operated solely by a wife and husband team. They recently moved to a new location on the same street (from 45 S Third St, as pictured above, to 19 S 3rd Street) with better visibility and exposure, and were in the process of expanding their customer base when the pandemic shut-down occurred. They are bringing a much-needed service and resource for comics and gaming fans to this small corner of southeastern Pennsylvania. Many are missing the frequent Warhammer, Magic The Gathering and other gaming sessions that the shop hosted. 

    Overall, the mood is optimistic and both owner Lori Grace and husband Randy are doing what they can to help offset the bills that are still coming in.  When the state mandate came through to close non-essential businesses they were in the process of revamping their website (https://themaroonhornetcomics.com) to add on-line buying and even explore hosting virtual sales events (as some stores are avidly engaged in at present).  Without those avenues of income to pursue, they have been making home deliveries and drop-offs. 

    Their customer base ranges from the immediate Oxford area to Quarryville and Parkesburg, as well as Rising Sun, Maryland - - and they’ve been making deliveries on weekends and evenings. They’ve been contacting customers with books and merchandise on hold at the store, and making arrangements for payment and delivery. One appreciative customer asked them to put together a special Easter basket for their young son, who sent them a thank-you note and photo.

  

     Sales of gift certificates have increased lately, as Lori says “our customers don’t want to see us closed, and they’ve been great about either donating or placing orders.” One of the first things she did was set up a Go Fund Me page for appreciative customers to show their support. Go to this link:  https://www.gofundme.com/f/the-maroon-hornet?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=p_cf+share-flow-1&fbclid=IwAR00iT7lL4ipfmp2auwB5d9Le10K7dhMqVAJ-FHI2-kr024V0t-Tr5YSE6g

    Maroon Hornet is one of few local comic shops currently participating in the Comics Experience (online school for comic writers, artists, inkers, colorists, lettering, etc) Retailer program. Eighty percent of every purchase on the website is donated to the local shop customers links to when ordering. Go to this link:
https://comicsexperience.podia.com/retailer-relief-launch-bundle

   

     Lori has researched the marketplace and has applied for every grant, business loan or donation that the store might qualify for. Unfortunately, the federal small business loans are intended to keep employees on the payroll, so sole proprietorships like Maroon Hornet do not qualify.  She has applied for relief funding from DC Comics but has not heard back yet. Also, TKO Studios has a program for online purchases to donate 50% of sales to local comic shops, and they are listed as a participating retailer there. Go to: https://tkopresents.com/?fbclid=IwAR3hPcw_nabfrNdenfVbUhhtqkibSuCBF-Vth2azO_khhqmW7xoRPL1-VDc

I asked owner Lori Grace to rate the general feel of the store’s future on a scale of 1-10.

A rating of 10 means they aren’t concerned at all, not bothered by the shutdown.

A rating of 1 means they are hurting, and may have to close the comic shop permanently.

While the Maroon Hornet “won’t have to shut down permanently”, things are critical enough for Lori to rate their status as “in the middle, like a 4 or 5.”

 Lori has been spending most of her work day applying for grants, loans and support to keep things operating. 

“I appreciate everything we’ve received so far and all the donations. It’s a money thing, but we’ll get through this” she said.