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March 9, 2009

StreetLevel: Comic Book Shop Opens on Bergen

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On Friday a new comic book store opened on Bergen Street between 5th Avenue and Flatbush. Bergen Street Comics comes c/o a husband-and-wife team who told us it's their first business venture. The blog Geekanerd hailed its arrival by noting that it's "not just any old comic shop, but one with leather seats, exposed brick, and original art on the walls. Rocketship may finally have some competition for all those Best Comic Store in Brooklyn awards." The shop is located on the Pintchik-owned stretch that's seen the arrival of a bunch of new businesses in the past few years, including Babeland, Organic Heights and Unnameable Books. Click through for an interior shot.
Bergen Street Comics [Official Site]
Bergen Street Comics Opens In Brooklyn's Park Slope [Geekanerd] GMAP

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Posted by Gabby at 2:00 PM | Comments (32)
Categories: Books, Park Slope, Retail, Streetlevel

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Comments

I dont read comic books but I went inside and wanted to buy abunch of shit. Seems like a cool shop.

also speaking of this stretch, Unnameable books is the best bookstore in the city.

Posted by: Santa at March 9, 2009 2:04 PM

My husband will be thrilled!

Posted by: gemini10 at March 9, 2009 2:05 PM

Ha! You were ahead of me Gabby!!

Posted by: 11217 at March 9, 2009 2:06 PM

Oh and it's actually between Flatbush and 5th Avenue. Not 6th.

Posted by: 11217 at March 9, 2009 2:06 PM

out of business in less than 6 months.

Posted by: randolph at March 9, 2009 2:13 PM

Finding a falloff in demand for clowns too, randolph????

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at March 9, 2009 2:16 PM

this is what gets me...

"not just any old comic shop, but one with leather seats, exposed brick, and original art on the walls"

i mean really.. :-/ words cant express how lame that comes across.

*r*

Posted by: PitbullNYC at March 9, 2009 2:18 PM

That comic shop on Fifth Ave between 8th and 9th seems to do a brisk business. This one could do well as well, yes?

Posted by: SnarkSlope at March 9, 2009 2:19 PM

everyone always needs a clown. just ask WHAT. we had quite a weekend together.

Posted by: randolph at March 9, 2009 2:21 PM

Never underestimate the creepiness of a clown.

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at March 9, 2009 2:25 PM

I will be visiting this evening on my way home. Can't be bothered to make it up to Hanley's these days and Rocketship is too far out of the way.

Yay.

Posted by: ennuiater at March 9, 2009 2:25 PM

Awesome! That strip of Bergen is looking better and better. I guess the Pintchiks don't rent-gouge, otherwise, these types of businesses wouldn't be able to set up shop.

Has anyone else noticed that Organic Heights (on the same strip) is for sale? Guess the vegan thing didn't catch on.

BTW, the sandwiches at City Subs are the best...

Posted by: bk14 at March 9, 2009 2:27 PM

City Subs is great. I used to go there all the time when I lived in Prospect Heights.

Posted by: SnarkSlope at March 9, 2009 2:29 PM

Anybody gonna take advantage of that wrinkle cure?>>>>>>>>>>

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at March 9, 2009 2:30 PM

City Sub Sandwiches are GREAT! - wish they can make that line go faster though!
I think this is an awesome addition to that stretch of shops
again - my husband will be thrilled as well as other closet nerds who frequent comic shops on Wednesdays when the latest editions come out

Posted by: gemini10 at March 9, 2009 2:32 PM

The over under 6 months.

Posted by: Xander Crews at March 9, 2009 2:33 PM


The comic shop on Montague St. opened a long time ago, 20 years give or take (if not more - it was a regular stop for me as a kid), and it is still open.

This place just might last too.

Posted by: christopher at March 9, 2009 2:43 PM

also city subs is open on sundays now.

Posted by: Santa at March 9, 2009 2:47 PM

this place definitely has a shot at lasting. if there were 100 of these in a 2 block radius (like most shops in brooklyn these days) it wouldnt, but since it's sorta marginal and theme-based and there's not a ton of them it should last.

*r*

Posted by: PitbullNYC at March 9, 2009 2:48 PM

"Has anyone else noticed that Organic Heights (on the same strip) is for sale? Guess the vegan thing didn't catch on."

Actually they took it off the market in January.

Posted by: 11217 at March 9, 2009 2:49 PM

i walked by this weekend and it does look cool from the outside. it an interesting change from the non-stop boutiques in p.s., and i hope it succeeds.

rob, youve been SERIOUSLY cranky today. what gives?

Posted by: goldie at March 9, 2009 3:06 PM

Not nearly as cozy looking as Rocketship honestly. Between Rocketship, Forbidden Planet and Jim Hanley's (plus the St. Mark's/Montague sister shops along with the countless number of old dusty shops scattered about), there's really no reason for any more comic book stores in New York.

At $3-5 per issue and $15-30 for a graphic novel (which you can buy on amazon for no tax, free shipping and 50% off), a store like this has to provide something special. Rocketship offers regular in-store events and extremely helpful staff, Hanley's provides overwhelming quantity, and Forbidden Planet provides its cachet to go with a great location.

How can this store compete? They have to go the Rocketship approach, but can they attract the Tony Millionaires of the world and city? Especially being basically a mile away?? I give it 1 year tops. Williamsburg would have been a better location.

Posted by: Manitoba at March 9, 2009 5:02 PM

Williamsburg already has at least 2 comic stores...PopFuzz and Desert Island.

I wish this store all the best, and hope they do well.

By the looks of it (I've walked by each day for the last 3) it seems like they are already quite popular.

Nice space, too.

Posted by: 11217 at March 9, 2009 5:21 PM

The new store is fabulous. Incredibly friendly, approachable and no scary old school comic store fanboys. More of a focus on the art and storytelling.

And btw- they're having an opening reception this coming Saturday night.

Posted by: Sporteeee at March 9, 2009 6:35 PM

I think this could work. It is in the same category as Rocketship or Desert Island, but catering to a different neighborhood. Although Rocketship is not that far away, I can't see people in the Slope dropping in regularly now that there is a similar place closer to them. (Tony Millionaire will be unlikely to appear at any of them, as he moved to Pasedena.)

Posted by: Carol Gardens at March 9, 2009 6:59 PM

I for one welcome this. I love comics and love comic book stores. They are great for kids too! My only issue is that they opened up near Rocketship. Come to FT. Greene!

Posted by: oldbaby at March 9, 2009 8:10 PM


I hope it succeeds. I wonder how many comics they have to sell each month to pay the rent. Pintchik rents are usually pretty high, unless these folks managed to take advantage of the times and negotiate something reasonable. The Pintchik's are know for leaving stores vacant for years while they wait for their "price".


Posted by: IronBalls at March 9, 2009 8:59 PM

Many thanks to Gabby for the post! We're thrilled to be open and hope people will turn out for our Grand Opening party on Saturday, March 14th from 6pm - 9pm. For the record, we respect and admire what other shops in Brooklyn and NYC are doing. We expect to find our own way and make our customers happy. See you all on Bergen Street.

Posted by: BergenStreetComics at March 9, 2009 9:28 PM

I wish someone would open an equivalent to something I saw in Europe. There was a store that was basically like a library for comic books. There was an annual membership fee (~25 euros), and then you could borrow any graphic novel for a week at around 1 euro. I mean, I read most graphic novels in 1-2 days, and then I'm stuck with it or I give it away to a friend. Few stores will give you a trade in value too for graphic novels.

I really think that sort of model could kick some serious butt in New York, Brooklyn specifically.

Also, despite my previously hater-filled post/doubts, I really do hope that Bergen Street Comics makes it. This store would be way more of a win when compared to what could be there.

Posted by: Manitoba at March 9, 2009 11:07 PM

This is great news; I look forward to shopping there!


Posted by: phbalanced at March 10, 2009 1:04 AM

I stopped in with my family on the first Saturday they opened and the owners were so nice. They said they had nearly sold out of kids' selections the night before, so that was a good sign that they had tapped into a potential customer base. (More on the way, they said...) I think this is a great addition to the neighborhood. I've never been to Rocketship (not really a comic reader myself), but I know my husband and kids will stop in here.

I also think the Pintchik guys are creating their "dream street" here and I hope they'll help support these nice little shops they've brought in by not being too aggressive on raising the rent.

Posted by: bkyn05 at March 13, 2009 9:05 AM

thats an exciting news.....

Posted by: rebeccamartin at November 11, 2009 1:55 AM

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