Post by The Ultimate Nullifier on Feb 9, 2015 18:38:56 GMT -6
JAF Comics in Lower Nazareth Township, Pennsylvania, just opened last week, but owner John Hohn is no newbie; he sold action figures for years and when he added comics to his line last year, sales really took off. “I never envisioned myself selling comics, but the demand just grew and grew,” he said. “Now, I’ve gone from a few thousand to more than 100,000 — up there with Comic Masters in Whitehall as one of the largest suppliers in the Lehigh Valley.” The most popular titles include Star Wars and Harley Quinn.
www.mcall.com/business/retailwatch/mc-jaf-comics-lower-nazareth-rw-0208-20150207-column.html#page=1
With "Avengers: Age of Ultron," "Fantastic Four" and "Ant Man" arriving in theaters this year and "Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D," "Gotham" and "The Flash" already entertaining audiences on the small screen, it's clear that superheroes don't need to fight for the world's attention.
Now, fans of the fantasy genre can satisfy their appetite for larger-than-life storytelling at the Lehigh Valley's newest comic book shop, JAF Comics, in Lower Nazareth Township.
The 224 Nazareth Pike store, on the lower level of the Trolley Station Outlet Mall, sells popular comics from DC, Marvel and other publishers, as well as action figures, bobbleheads, posters and other collectibles.
Owner John Hohn debuted the shop on Wednesday after recently purchasing the remaining inventory of Dreamscape Comics, which closed last year after nearly 30 years of business on West Broad Street in Bethlehem.
"It worked out well," said Jeanne Takacs, who kept Dreamscape open a few days a week after her boyfriend and longtime owner Nicholas Yutkco died in 2012.
Hohn, of Palmer Township, began selling action figures and toys online in 1999 and previously operated Just Action Figures on the upper level of the mall for the past 31/2 years.
Last year, he introduced comics at the request of customers and the venture "just exploded," he said.
"I never envisioned myself selling comics, but the demand just grew and grew," explained Hohn, noting the most popular picks to be "Star Wars" and "Harley Quinn." "Now, I've gone from a few thousand to more than 100,000 — up there with Comic Masters in Whitehall as one of the largest suppliers in the Lehigh Valley."
Hohn labels his business' cleanliness, organization by publisher, and online accounts offering previews of what's to come as components that separate him from his competitors.
Another distinguishing factor, he said, is the "unique blend of new and vintage merchandise" — ranging from "The Big Bang Theory" and "The Walking Dead" bobbleheads to "RoboCop" and "Thundercats" figurines.
About 60 percent of Dreamscape's acquired comics is on display in the new space, which is three times larger than the upstairs spot, with the rest still needing to be sorted. A large majority was published after 2000.
The store's opening comes on the heels of the debut of Cloud City Games in Lower Macungie Township last year and is further proof of a booming comics business.
According to ICV2 and Comichron, two comics industry trade news and data sources, the North American comics and graphic novel marketplace generated $870 million in sales in 2013, up from $805 million in 2012.
JAF Comics, which will hold a grand opening with discounts in early March, also supplements other area comic book shops such as Beachead Comics and Encounter Comics & Games, both in Allentown.
Hours are 1-7 p.m. Wednesdays and 1-6 p.m. Thursday through Saturday. Info: 484-292-1914 or justactionfigures.com (soon changing to jafcomics.com).
www.mcall.com/business/retailwatch/mc-jaf-comics-lower-nazareth-rw-0208-20150207-column.html#page=1
With "Avengers: Age of Ultron," "Fantastic Four" and "Ant Man" arriving in theaters this year and "Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D," "Gotham" and "The Flash" already entertaining audiences on the small screen, it's clear that superheroes don't need to fight for the world's attention.
Now, fans of the fantasy genre can satisfy their appetite for larger-than-life storytelling at the Lehigh Valley's newest comic book shop, JAF Comics, in Lower Nazareth Township.
The 224 Nazareth Pike store, on the lower level of the Trolley Station Outlet Mall, sells popular comics from DC, Marvel and other publishers, as well as action figures, bobbleheads, posters and other collectibles.
Owner John Hohn debuted the shop on Wednesday after recently purchasing the remaining inventory of Dreamscape Comics, which closed last year after nearly 30 years of business on West Broad Street in Bethlehem.
"It worked out well," said Jeanne Takacs, who kept Dreamscape open a few days a week after her boyfriend and longtime owner Nicholas Yutkco died in 2012.
Hohn, of Palmer Township, began selling action figures and toys online in 1999 and previously operated Just Action Figures on the upper level of the mall for the past 31/2 years.
Last year, he introduced comics at the request of customers and the venture "just exploded," he said.
"I never envisioned myself selling comics, but the demand just grew and grew," explained Hohn, noting the most popular picks to be "Star Wars" and "Harley Quinn." "Now, I've gone from a few thousand to more than 100,000 — up there with Comic Masters in Whitehall as one of the largest suppliers in the Lehigh Valley."
Hohn labels his business' cleanliness, organization by publisher, and online accounts offering previews of what's to come as components that separate him from his competitors.
Another distinguishing factor, he said, is the "unique blend of new and vintage merchandise" — ranging from "The Big Bang Theory" and "The Walking Dead" bobbleheads to "RoboCop" and "Thundercats" figurines.
About 60 percent of Dreamscape's acquired comics is on display in the new space, which is three times larger than the upstairs spot, with the rest still needing to be sorted. A large majority was published after 2000.
The store's opening comes on the heels of the debut of Cloud City Games in Lower Macungie Township last year and is further proof of a booming comics business.
According to ICV2 and Comichron, two comics industry trade news and data sources, the North American comics and graphic novel marketplace generated $870 million in sales in 2013, up from $805 million in 2012.
JAF Comics, which will hold a grand opening with discounts in early March, also supplements other area comic book shops such as Beachead Comics and Encounter Comics & Games, both in Allentown.
Hours are 1-7 p.m. Wednesdays and 1-6 p.m. Thursday through Saturday. Info: 484-292-1914 or justactionfigures.com (soon changing to jafcomics.com).