Meet the New Comic Shop Opening the Door for Inclusion
The news has not been good for Local Comic Shops this year. Many shops are closing as the market shifts. But a few weeks ago a new shop opened up in Lexington, Massachusetts. Lexington has a strong connection to superhero comics as writer Kurt Busiek was raised there. And now Lexington has Omar’s World of Comics whose proprietor has a enthusiastic love of comics that he shares with everyone who comes in.
Omar Masood, who is 22, is a student in a High School program designed for students with special needs. Omar will age out of the program this year and he is now working at his chosen vocation – comics.
When I visited the store earlier this week, Omar and I talked a bit about his love of comics. His favorite superheroes are “Black Panther, Spider-Man, Hulk and Captain America.” And as you can see by his shirt, Superman. That said if he had to pick two comics to bring to a desert island it would be Batman and Green Arrow. He has pretty firm opinions on the actors who have best portrayed superheroes – Adam West as Batman and Henry Cavill as Superman.
,As you can probably guess, I asked him who his favorite female superheroes were and he quickly said Wonder Woman and Batgirl.
Clearly, Omar has excellent opinions.
But there’s more to this store than just the man whose name is on the door. The shop is big, brightly lit and welcoming.
Inside there is clearly marked are for kids comics.
There is lots of comic related merchandise including the very popular DC Superhero Girls and stuffed toys for the youngest fans.
The store has the newest comic floppies and shelves of graphic novels.
In addition to comics and comic related merchandise the store also features games and game nights.
The store is being backed by Omar’s parents according to Wicked News with less of a focus on profitability and more providing an opportunity for Omar. The store has a manager, Sally Hoops, who told me she is a newcomer to comics.
Omar also hires his friends, interns from the same program he is graduating from, to work in the store.
The store also has a rock hard code of conduct policy that states, they “are dedicated to providing a harassment-free shopping and event experience for everyone, regardless of gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, age, or religion, or any other factor.”
A few weeks ago I discussed on Twitter the challenges of the LCS and the hard fact that the market is changing and the market will need a new strategy. More focus on trades and toys for one thing. And of course a realization that they must reach out beyond their traditional demographics. Omar’s shop is the kind of shop I was thinking of. It’s family friendly, it has a good mix of products. And there is no question it is welcoming to all.
You can find out more about Omar’s World of Comics here.
