The Story-Not Just Another Comic Shop:
Comic books have given me some much joy and inspiration for nearly 35 years. When I was bullied or picked on or simply needed to escape to another world I was able to pick up a comic book and see the world through a superhero's eyes. In many ways, comics books saved my life and kept me going through my darkest days.
Unfortunately, today, many comic book stores are small dingy stores that are in bad locations and not inviting. Furthermore, many store employees don't interact well with anyone other than the male species.
I am aiming to raise funding to give back my passion to a new age of collectors but also to change the shopping experience. A bright beautiful store, where people, regardless of race, gender, lifestyle, in the community can come into the store and shop, sit down on comfortable couches, read, and have dialogue with each other about their similar passion. The store will also be equipped for those that play card based games to give players a common place to come and meet and play.
In addition, my vision entails creating a sit down/bar side service area where visitors to the store can come down, eat, drink, and talk about comics. I want to create an inviting environment where everyone can be themselves and be comfortable in their own skin talking and discussing the things they love.
I aim to make the store a huge part of the community and to partner with local charities and pet shelters to have fund raisers, etc to help those in need.
In addition, cosplay contests, visiting schools to encourage reading, movie nights, and store based comic cons are on the list of the things we have planned to continually interact with the community.
Funding:
Funding will be used for the following:
- Holding a national writing/artist competition for LGBT and female artist and writers. 50K of funds raised will be awarded in scholarships.
- Securing the proper location. We will be working with industry leaders to find the best location in the South Jersey area to build our shop so it's accessible to as many age groups possible.
- Purchasing proper back issue and new issue inventory as well as all comic related paraphernalia. We want users to be able to come in on day 1 and be able to find the new issues they want as as many back issues as possible. I have my own collection I will bring into the store but the more we can offer, the better the experience.
- Outfitting the store to be best looking store on the planet! We will use funding to work with professional designers to outfit and design the store to be the greatest looking comic store ever built. We will use funding to secure displays racks, wall art, our logo, televisions to display comic related movies, and the sit down/eatery area.
How the Funds Will Be Broken Up:
50K in college scholarships for LGBT and female artist and writers. Breakdown in scholarships is as follows: Two 15K Scholarships awarded to winner of national artist/writing competition. Two 5K Scholarships awarded to second place of national artist/writing competition. Four $2,500 Scholarships awarded to runner ups of national artist/writing competition.
$5K Custom POS System for Comic Book Store
$30K For initial inventory purchase (Comics, graphic novels, toys)
$15K Securing Store location, initial and last months rent, attorney fees.
How will Sapphire Comics help LGBT, Female, and Indie Artist/Writers?
Sapphire Comics and Cards will also be
focusing on the South Jersey community and will have a section of the store
that highlights local indie artist and writers. Every month, an indie
writer/artist will be selected and highlighted and be given the floor for one
day to promote and sell their products in the store.
Sapphire Comics and Cards will also focus
local and national writers/artist from the LGBT community. A section of the
store will highlight works from these writers/artist. Every month, an LGBT
writer/artist will be selected and highlighted and be given the floor for one
day to promote and sell their products in the store.
Sapphire Comics and Cards will also feature
local and national female writers/artist. A section of the store will highlight
works from these writers/artist. Every month, a female writer/artist will be
selected and highlighted and be given the floor for one day to promote and sell
their products in the store.
And We Haven't Forgotten about All You Lovely Cosplayers!!
Sapphire Comics and Cards will also cater to
the Cosplay community. Cosplayer’s are a community of pop culture fans who
design and dress up as various icons of pop culture. This is very large and
growing community and Sapphire Comics and Cards intends to hold quarterly
Cosplay competitions and events to cater to this pop culture community.
How Can You Help? Why Should You Help?
Supporting this cause by contributing funds will allow us to build a comic store that is inviting to all. I've been to many stores where I have seen woman treated uncomfortably, crude jokes or movies being played, and stores that looked and smelled awful. These experiences have given comic book stores and fans an awful reputation.
By contributing you can help start a revolution in the comic industry. By creating a store that is created by you and for all of you! Man, Woman, Gay, Straight, Transgender, Black, White, Yellow...its a store for everyone.
Together we can create a new haven for comic fans and a new trend in the industry.
Risks & Challenges.
The biggest challenge will be securing the proper area. I am going to be working with consultants who specialize in the industry who will help secure the best location to make this vision a reality.
What happens to the money if we don't make our goal?
100% of the money raised will be used towards the goals listed above. If we come up short we will use whatever money raised towards the various aspects of the store. If we are short in reaching a desired purchase of the store, the money will be desposited into a savings account for the store and future money raised will be combined with the money raised here to meet future store goals. In other words, all money here will be used towards opening the store.
Other Ways You Can Help
Some people just can't contribute, but that doesn't mean they can't help:
- Help us spread the word. Tell your friends, family, etc!
- Follow us on Twitter @sapphirecomics
- Use the Indiegogo share tools