Post by The Ultimate Nullifier on Sept 14, 2014 20:02:40 GMT -6
www.yourhoustonnews.com/greater_houston/entertainment/orn-comic-book-shop-hosting-its-own-one-day-convention/article_9e1c5e34-7d79-5005-b5aa-11ed81c9295a.html
What started as a small gaming event has grown and transformed into something business owner Jen King never could have foreseen.
Space Cadets Collection Collection, a comics and collectibles shop in Oak Ridge North, will be hosting their first ever Cadets Con, a one-day, free-to-the-public event on August 23.
“It started when a gaming company named Wiz Kids, the makers of HeroClix, sent out this idea to stores of having a one-day ‘con’ in their store,” King said. “And if we bought product from them, they would provide some ‘convention exclusive’ items we could use in giveaways.”
From there, employee Brian McMeans decided to expand it into an actual convention.
“He said why don’t we do a one-day actual con,” King said. “He was really enthusiastic about it, so I just let him do it.”
McMeans decided to expand on the idea, not wanting to focus on HeroClix or Wiz Kids.
“We didn’t want it focused solely on [Wiz Kids],” McMeans said. “We wanted to give the convention feel to the whole day.”
From 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Space Cadets will be filled with artists, panels, guests and more.
“At a larger con, you have artists and guests and we’re doing the same, but focusing on the local aspect,” McMeans said. “We have 7 or 8 local artists coming who will be drawing or painting, we have a local musician playing and people doing board game tutorials as well.”
One big draw is special guest comedian and author Bob Smiley, who is a friend of King’s.
Some would say holding a convention in a store is crazy, especially in terms of space, but Space Cadets is up for the challenge.
“We’re a pretty good size now, so it might be a little tight, but it will be a lot of fun,” McMeans said.
In the last year, Space Cadets has undergone a dramatic transformation, doubling the original footprint and adding a small café, owned by King’s long-time friend, Vivian McEwin.
“We started the first part of construction in October and it wasn’t completed until December,” King said. “The gaming areas were all concrete, almost like a dungeon, so we added in windows.”
The café was a small afterthought.
“I knew the space was going to be used for something,” King said. “Then Viv retired, and she’d always wanted to open a café, but she didn’t have the money for her own space.”
The Lava Cookie Counter Café opened last year, featuring unique daily specials centered around a fun theme, from Windu Wednesday to Miyazaki Monday, all featuring dishes inspired by different science fiction, anime or fantasy series.
“The Houston foodies love her,” King said. “And on Throwback Thursday, she does comfort food, and everybody comes for her meatloaf.”
As for Cadets Con, if all goes well on August 23, it could come back next year.
“This is a fantastic way for local artists to get their work out there,” McMeans said. “A lot of them are customers of the store, so I know they’re talented, and they can’t afford a table at a bigger con in Houston, so this could be an outlet for them to display how talented they are.”
Space Cadets Collection Collection and the Lava Cookie Counter Café are located at 27326 Robinson Road in Oak Ridge North.
For more information on Cadets Con and Space Cadets, visit their website www.spacecadetscollection.com or their Facebook page Space Cadets Collection Collection.
For the Lava Cookie Counter Café, visit their Facebook page: www.facebook.com/thelavacookie.
What started as a small gaming event has grown and transformed into something business owner Jen King never could have foreseen.
Space Cadets Collection Collection, a comics and collectibles shop in Oak Ridge North, will be hosting their first ever Cadets Con, a one-day, free-to-the-public event on August 23.
“It started when a gaming company named Wiz Kids, the makers of HeroClix, sent out this idea to stores of having a one-day ‘con’ in their store,” King said. “And if we bought product from them, they would provide some ‘convention exclusive’ items we could use in giveaways.”
From there, employee Brian McMeans decided to expand it into an actual convention.
“He said why don’t we do a one-day actual con,” King said. “He was really enthusiastic about it, so I just let him do it.”
McMeans decided to expand on the idea, not wanting to focus on HeroClix or Wiz Kids.
“We didn’t want it focused solely on [Wiz Kids],” McMeans said. “We wanted to give the convention feel to the whole day.”
From 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Space Cadets will be filled with artists, panels, guests and more.
“At a larger con, you have artists and guests and we’re doing the same, but focusing on the local aspect,” McMeans said. “We have 7 or 8 local artists coming who will be drawing or painting, we have a local musician playing and people doing board game tutorials as well.”
One big draw is special guest comedian and author Bob Smiley, who is a friend of King’s.
Some would say holding a convention in a store is crazy, especially in terms of space, but Space Cadets is up for the challenge.
“We’re a pretty good size now, so it might be a little tight, but it will be a lot of fun,” McMeans said.
In the last year, Space Cadets has undergone a dramatic transformation, doubling the original footprint and adding a small café, owned by King’s long-time friend, Vivian McEwin.
“We started the first part of construction in October and it wasn’t completed until December,” King said. “The gaming areas were all concrete, almost like a dungeon, so we added in windows.”
The café was a small afterthought.
“I knew the space was going to be used for something,” King said. “Then Viv retired, and she’d always wanted to open a café, but she didn’t have the money for her own space.”
The Lava Cookie Counter Café opened last year, featuring unique daily specials centered around a fun theme, from Windu Wednesday to Miyazaki Monday, all featuring dishes inspired by different science fiction, anime or fantasy series.
“The Houston foodies love her,” King said. “And on Throwback Thursday, she does comfort food, and everybody comes for her meatloaf.”
As for Cadets Con, if all goes well on August 23, it could come back next year.
“This is a fantastic way for local artists to get their work out there,” McMeans said. “A lot of them are customers of the store, so I know they’re talented, and they can’t afford a table at a bigger con in Houston, so this could be an outlet for them to display how talented they are.”
Space Cadets Collection Collection and the Lava Cookie Counter Café are located at 27326 Robinson Road in Oak Ridge North.
For more information on Cadets Con and Space Cadets, visit their website www.spacecadetscollection.com or their Facebook page Space Cadets Collection Collection.
For the Lava Cookie Counter Café, visit their Facebook page: www.facebook.com/thelavacookie.