"[C]hanges in the business climate in our area, major shifts in the comic industry plus the devastating impact of COVID-19 have put too much stress and costs on the stores," they wrote. "We have been working hard to put this off and we appreciate all the support we have received over the past few months… We apologize for the sudden nature of this, but please bear with us as these events have been hitting hard and fast."
Corner Comics had not re-opened from the COVID shutdown but had been offering pick-up service; Comics Dungeon had just resumed allowing in-store customers. The stores had set up a GoFundMe in mid-March to raise money for employee salaries; $11,755 of a $15,000 goal was raised. "We will never forget the support we received from the GoFundMe that so many of you participated in as it has made the landing for our staff that much softer," they wrote.
The stores had been converted to non-profit ownership in 2017 (see "Comics Retailer Comics Dungeon Explores New Funding Options"). The owners noted the positive results of that change in their post. "We are proud of the changes both stores have made over the years, becoming businesses that welcomed diversity, inclusion and that created an atmosphere for families and kids," they wrote. "We are proud that over the last 3 years we have been able to help local schools create willing readers at all levels and embrace comics as a medium for education. None of this would have been possible without your support."
The last day of operation will be July 18.
COVID-19 is taking its toll; as retailers are allowed to re-open, some aren’t.