Post by The Ultimate Nullifier on Jan 7, 2015 11:24:01 GMT -6
After running Brainstorm Comics in downtown Frederick, Maryland, for 30 years, owner Dan Webb has sold the business — to two of his customers:
www.fredericknewspost.com/news/economy_and_business/business_topics/retail/from-the-hulk-to-batman-new-owners-carry-on-brainstorm/article_dbedb254-5e14-5581-8894-fc54d3a4ccc3.html
From the Hulk to Batman, new owners carry on Brainstorm Comics tradition
Dan Webb loves comics. And when he opened Brainstorm Comics in downtown Frederick in 1984, he may not have thought it would pass to two of his customers 30 years later.
John Frazier and Michael Morgan bought the shop at 54 E. Patrick St., where Webb moved four years ago after operating in two other locations in the city.
“Downtown has been revitalized, and we were responsible for that,” said Webb, smiling, during an interview at the shop Monday night. The shop has brought comic book and game enthusiasts from around the area for the past three decades, he said, who also patronize other downtown businesses.
“There was nothing like it in Frederick,” said Webb, who had been a security guard before he opened the store. “I thought it would be a good business.”
Frazier, who works with home mortgages at Wells Fargo, has been a customer for 11 years and worked for several years at the business. Morgan, who does construction layout for Powell & Associates, has been a Brainstorm Comics customer for 20 years.
“We bring a lot of experience, and we enjoy talking to customers,” Frazier said. “The people who come to the shop are different, very honest. They are not just customers, but friends.”
The shop has boxes with files where regular customers’ comics are put each week until they come in to buy them. It is part of the personal service the new owners are carrying on from Webb’s foundation of putting the customer first.
The new owners spent nearly 14 hours, with the help of friends, moving some of the bookshelves around. “We wanted to make it more open,” Frazier said. Comics have been moved to the back room of the 2,200-square-foot store, with games and other items in the front.
“We also have children’s comics right inside the door,” Frazier said. “We want parents to know we have a safe environment.”
The new owners added more games, including figurines to go with the games, paints to color the figurines and plan to have game sessions once or twice a week such as War Hammer and D&D. The store will also carry individual cards for Magic the Gathering.
Frazier said hours will expand from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.
“Games can be expensive, some of them $50 to $60. We want to introduce people to games, but make sure it is something they want before they purchase it,” Frazier said. “We don’t want them to be disappointed, feel as if they have not spent their money wisely.”
The shop will also offer rare comics and can order back copies.
The new owners said there is a boom in comics. New publications are being made based on TV shows and movies, as well as longtime favorite superheroes.
“We are going to do some history from Dan,” Frazier said. “T-shirts from when he opened the shop, some posters and things from the original Brainstorm Comics.”
Frazier is also a writer who is working on a comic and looking for artists to work with.
Webb said he has no specific plans, though he plays the mandolin and sings with an Irish band, Rant and Roar, which will play at local restaurants and clubs.
DETAILS:
WHAT: Brainstorm Comics
WHERE: 54 E. Patrick St., Frederick
PHONE: 301-663-3039
ITEMS: Comics and games
HOURS: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily
www.fredericknewspost.com/news/economy_and_business/business_topics/retail/from-the-hulk-to-batman-new-owners-carry-on-brainstorm/article_dbedb254-5e14-5581-8894-fc54d3a4ccc3.html
From the Hulk to Batman, new owners carry on Brainstorm Comics tradition
Dan Webb loves comics. And when he opened Brainstorm Comics in downtown Frederick in 1984, he may not have thought it would pass to two of his customers 30 years later.
John Frazier and Michael Morgan bought the shop at 54 E. Patrick St., where Webb moved four years ago after operating in two other locations in the city.
“Downtown has been revitalized, and we were responsible for that,” said Webb, smiling, during an interview at the shop Monday night. The shop has brought comic book and game enthusiasts from around the area for the past three decades, he said, who also patronize other downtown businesses.
“There was nothing like it in Frederick,” said Webb, who had been a security guard before he opened the store. “I thought it would be a good business.”
Frazier, who works with home mortgages at Wells Fargo, has been a customer for 11 years and worked for several years at the business. Morgan, who does construction layout for Powell & Associates, has been a Brainstorm Comics customer for 20 years.
“We bring a lot of experience, and we enjoy talking to customers,” Frazier said. “The people who come to the shop are different, very honest. They are not just customers, but friends.”
The shop has boxes with files where regular customers’ comics are put each week until they come in to buy them. It is part of the personal service the new owners are carrying on from Webb’s foundation of putting the customer first.
The new owners spent nearly 14 hours, with the help of friends, moving some of the bookshelves around. “We wanted to make it more open,” Frazier said. Comics have been moved to the back room of the 2,200-square-foot store, with games and other items in the front.
“We also have children’s comics right inside the door,” Frazier said. “We want parents to know we have a safe environment.”
The new owners added more games, including figurines to go with the games, paints to color the figurines and plan to have game sessions once or twice a week such as War Hammer and D&D. The store will also carry individual cards for Magic the Gathering.
Frazier said hours will expand from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.
“Games can be expensive, some of them $50 to $60. We want to introduce people to games, but make sure it is something they want before they purchase it,” Frazier said. “We don’t want them to be disappointed, feel as if they have not spent their money wisely.”
The shop will also offer rare comics and can order back copies.
The new owners said there is a boom in comics. New publications are being made based on TV shows and movies, as well as longtime favorite superheroes.
“We are going to do some history from Dan,” Frazier said. “T-shirts from when he opened the shop, some posters and things from the original Brainstorm Comics.”
Frazier is also a writer who is working on a comic and looking for artists to work with.
Webb said he has no specific plans, though he plays the mandolin and sings with an Irish band, Rant and Roar, which will play at local restaurants and clubs.
DETAILS:
WHAT: Brainstorm Comics
WHERE: 54 E. Patrick St., Frederick
PHONE: 301-663-3039
ITEMS: Comics and games
HOURS: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily