“It’s important. If you don’t do something to differentiate yourself from Amazon in particular… it’s cheaper and easier for people to buy stuff without walking into a physical store,” said Brian Hibbs, owner of San Francisco’s Comix Experience. “So you need to give people a reason to come in.”

Hibbs has started a ladies’ night and a trivia night, both of which pack the house. He’s looking to add a singles’ night as well. But his shining star has been the Graphic Novel Club, for which he curates a book and holds a creator event each month. The events, with creators that have include Neil Gaiman (and soon, Dan Clowes) are live-streamed and recorded for people who can’t make the event or for out-of-towners.

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