Geek in Review: Save the Friendly Locals

Wednesday is my favorite day of the week, because I when my Geek in Review goes live, it means that I have between 18 and 24 hours before the slow panic of "what the hell am I going to write about next week?" kicks in.

The panic for this week was rather severe and overwhelming, because it wasn't until Monday night that I had any ideas at all.

Monday afternoon, Anne said to me, "I want Zankou Chicken tonight. Do you think you can pick it up?"

Zankou Chicken is the best chicken in the world, and as far as I know is only available in a few places in Los Angeles, including my local location in Pasadena, which happens to be next door to my Friendly Local Comic Shop.

"Of course I can pick it up," I said, visions of a comic shopping spree swimming in my head.

She went to work, I went to Zankou Chicken, and I also went to the comic shop. I bought my books, talked with the owner, and by the time I was in my car driving home, I had most of this week's column written in my head.

In an increasingly globalized world where vertically-integrated multi-national companies storm into communities, reduce our choices and homogenize our shopping experience, the Friendly Local Shop is an endangered species, and it's not just comic and book shops that are at risk.

I love my Friendly Local Comic Shop as much as I've always loved my Friendly Local Game Shop, and I would hate it if they were forced out of business. In fact, I believe that in most communities, they are load bearing pillars of their respective cultures, and if we allow them to be overwhelmed and wiped out by big box stores or national chains, the next generation of geeks will be in serious trouble.

So my column this week is about why we all need to work hard to Save the Friendly Local Game/Comic/Music shops, and why it's in our best interests to do it:

While you may be able to save a few bucks on a CD at Target, if you have a Friendly Local Music Shop and go there instead, the owner may see you picking up Interpol, and suggest Joy Division. They may see you picking up The Red Hot Chili Peppers, and throw themselves between you and the register, just to save you from yourself.

While you may be able to get 10% off if you use your preferred customer card at the bookstore in the mall, is cranky manager guy going to take the time to talk with you, and suggest a graphic novel you may have missed, like Kinetic?

While you may be able to save a few bucks on the latest d20 source book in that same bookstore (if they stock it, that is) don't count on stumbling across any new games, like the boxed version of Kill Doctor Lucky, or High School Drama. And I can guarantee you that the bookstore in the mall won't stay open late because the owner really wants to do a Shadowrun one-off, and will provide pizza and Mountain Dew for any players who show up this Friday at 7.

The Geekwire is as Safe For Work as its ever been (thank you, SG Corporate Overlords!) so you can read it today with confidence. If you like it, I'd be ever-so-grateful if you'd vote it up at Netscape. (Don't waste your time with Digg; the bury-brigade as targeted me with their sock puppet army, so all of my stories get disappeared rather quickly. Good times. Good times.)

Comments

[beckkl]

Yeah, Digg has gotten LAAAAAAAAME. OMG NEW pics of the new battery cover of the new WII controller!!!!ONE

[Myshtuff]

Wow that is a good article. Good job. I know exactly what you mean too. In my local mall there is a place called Gameswap and they specalize in old games and I go there all the time. I always buy old NES games or dreamcast games and you can't find those things anywhere else. I also stopped buy at a local comic book shop a while ago and got some really neat comics and the guy suggested some others that I really enjoyed as well. Across the street from the comic shop is a local music store thats really cool too. These shops are fun for all the reasons you said. I hope these shops never go away because without them my life would be pretty empty.

[MadLori]

While I agree with everything you've said, Wil, I couldn't help but feel a little sad inside at this:

"While you may be able to get 10% off if you use your preferred customer card at the bookstore in the mall, is cranky manager guy going to take the time to talk with you, and suggest a graphic novel you may have missed, like Kinetic?"

You see, I spent four years working at a Borders Books, two of them as a manager, and I spent a lot of time talking to my customers and suggesting items they might like. I'd find out that a woman liked Jane Hamilton and suggest Anita Shreve, or Anne Tyler. I'd make sure the clueless parents knew that manga has ratings on the back, and that every thirteen-year-old knew about Narnia. I saved books for customers I knew would like them, and handed out my card to everybody, amassing quite a list of people who'd email me for book recommendations.

And there's usually a seller like me, or two or three, in every big-box bookstore. They may be big and corporate, and I'm in no way suggesting that they SHOULD be making indie bookstores extinct, but I also think that they CAN be personal and give you great service.

I live in Columbus, Ohio and we have several really well-known independent bookstores that thrive here despite our ten or so big-box stores. I think it's possible for the two business models to coexist.

[longklaw]

I recently found out about a video game/music/movie shop that apparently has been around for a while. I didn't buy anything but it was great to be reminded of some the classic games, albums, and movies from the past.

[Thomas]

It may be the case when someone lives in LA or another big city but I actually have the reverse problem. I live in a town of 60,000 I can't find basic things I need at a local shops often times, if not for ebay, amazon, or some online shop I have to drive 2 1/2 hours to find basic stuff. A good example I wanted a big pot last year and to get it I had to go to 8 shops over the course of 5 hours because none of them had one big enough for my needs.

It's funny because my local shop for music isn't good for my tastes, I find far more online through podcasts or bands website than I ever get out of my local shop.

Local shop is great if they meet your needs, but I think the web is solving alot the 'big box' issues people have.

[TomB]

Hi Wil,

This kind of thing is happening on the web as well.

Go to TVSquad and check out the "What to Watch" articles and comments.

Weblogs, owned by AOL, runs the TVS site. More and more as of late, TVS is "borrowing" content from AOL's TV Editorial site and it's appearing on TVS word for word.

Today, TVS is recommending that we watch George Lopez and Armed and Famous. Arrgh. Doesn't sound like TVS to me.

I hope this isn't the beginning of the end of TVS as we know and love it.

[opak]

People who know comics know that the selection at a chain store sucks. Used to be a time when the best selection was 7-11. But when I have a Comic bug I usually hit up one of the 3 or 4 within driving distance. There is even a place here in Plainsboro, NJ that specializes in the old Pen and Paper books. They had 3 or 4 1st ed. Fiend Folios and a couple copies of Dieties and Demigods even. Those were some extremely rare books when I was playing. No way you will find that at a chain store. People who know comics and games know local. I dont think the comic and game shops are in danger just yet.

[MJBUtah]

I have this problem with my friends all the time, but it seems to be mostly with restaurants. I work in the "historic district" and there is a great number of local restaurants and cafes within two blocks of my office. But I still get people suggesting Olive Garden or Chili's or another big chain restuarant for lunch and dinner. It makes me very sad and I always drag them to the local place.

Some of the local eateries are also clients of mine, so when doing their books I can see firsthand what the chains are doing to them.

We were once in Florida and we asked the hotel guy to take us to a local seafood restaurant and he took us to Joe's Crab Shack. So sometimes you really have to try!

[adamnut]

Beck sings about Zankou Chicken on his Midnight Vultures album. There is one in OC that I know about. About 3 miles west of D-Land on Ball road. Just in case you were wondering.

[ErkDude]

Brings me back to the days my friend and I waited in a wraparound line for our copies of Spiderman #1 bagged edition. Golden Apple was a geekster's paradise back then.

<>
On the bright side, stocks are up today! WMT is up 80cents... hurrah ;)

[Elizabeth]

Thank you, thank you, thank you! I am a knitter, and very devoted to the idea of a local yarn shop. I wish I could smack it into people's heads that if they don't spend their dollars at smaller shops, they will absolutely go out of business, and so will the service that comes with that. I know, there are some gems slaving away out there in Big Box Marts, but there's just something soothing about a smaller shop where the people there know you. Preach on, brother Wil!

[erica_lynn]

Sad...I didn't even knew friendly comic/music/game stores even existed besides in the Simpsons...

[ang]

Reminds me of my college days, and the shop near campus was Wizards Keep. They had a 2nd floor loft, and on weekends they hosted games. Always a really cool place to wander around. Comic books, RPG books, miniatures, paints. I'll never forget those weekend games.

Thanks for the reminder, Wil. I am guilty of making purchases elsewhere (convenience sake and all), but without regular financial support, places like that tend to go out of business. And oh, the difference to me. (Wordsworth)

[R H M]

Huh. I suddenly know that Wil and I go to the same Local Comics Shop.

Small world.

[bryanf]

I'm not a SG member but do read the newswire there, so have to wait to comment until you post here about your stories. Crazy.

Anyway, I know exactly what you mean, and would like to add to the list the Friendly Local Computer Shop. I worked in a Local Computer Shop for a couple of years in high school, and then managed it for a couple more after I graduated. With margins in the low single digits on most stuff, being the Friendly Local Computer Store is not easy, and everything you say about the Comic and Music stores is true there too.

If I could figure some way to make a Friendly Local Computer Store profitable I'd love to open my own, working there was one of the most enjoyable jobs I've ever had. And not just because we had a shrink wrap machine so we could rewrap all the new merchandise after trying it out... :)

[Spartica]

I used to get free comic books by the hundreds as my dad used to work at the comic book plant. I use to color in the proofs when I was in my teens and my dad would bring home free ones they bundled up and gave to the workers. In fact, I have several Star Trek next generation first editions. By the time the comic plant closed, they were getting cheap and righting complimentary issue on the covers, because people were reselling them. Diamond and Capitol Comic Distribution used to be a major part of the economy around here.

[syhd]

Rah'rend. My friendly neighborhood comic book store (The Comic Swap) survived while two local bakeries, an independent book store, and . I used to be a very itinerant customer at The Comic Swap, but seeing how many local shops dry up in the face of chains (who go out of their way to steal their customers and then drop the products once the local business dies), I've made it a point to get to know the staff and buy whatever I can there. The icebreaker for me was when the staff commented on my browsing habits and thanking me for filling the low hours of the day with a presence. If they are that aware of me, I should be more aware of them and the effort they go to.

[Craig Steffen]

Yep--I am very much for supporting the smaller stores like that. I'm buying Super Munchkin for an almost-niece (long story), and I'm driving to Knoxville on Saturday to pick it up instead of ordering it from SJ games directly, since I'll be down that way anyway.

When I ordered the game a couple of weeks ago, I was frankly alarmed at the level of selection in the store. They had role-playing, and war gaming, and modelss, and kites, and craft store stuff. That's alarming to me because that probably means that they have to diversify at that level to maintain a business model that works. The narrowly focused stores are, I think, rapidly dissappearing.

And I do what I can to shop in them, despite the store owner in Champaign Illinois, where I used to live. He was pretty cranky, and if you tried to ask him about stuff, he would complain about how hard it is to get stuff and how difficult it is to run a business like that. I have a great deal of sympathy, but after a while it just wasn't fun to go back. That one aside, I try to shop at stores like that when I have the chance. Now that I know about the one in Knoxville, I'll be shopping there when I'm in the area.

[crazymixedupgirl]

OMG - long time lurker and what gets me to comment? Food. hahaha. I LOVE Zankou Chicken. I miss it!! I love the fatty garlic cream thing. And the pickled turnips. And yes, the chicken is good, too. *sigh* I miss LA.

Thanks so much for all you write. I've gotten into the Sandman bc of your recs and am so pleased to read of your love of Kill Dr. Lucky. Nice to know that I'm not alone in the world.

[FABIAN]

Wil,
If the chicken is that good, go go go!

FG

[Kai]

So did you like Kinetic, Wil? I read this back when it first came out, and I really loved it. If you like nerdy super-heroes, check out Invincible written by Robert Kirkman. Kirkman is one of the best writers today, and this book is the best superhero book being written right now, period.

[erin12]

Why you gotta hate on the Red Hot Chili Peppers? Stadium Arcadium is a pretty kick-ass album.

[DenimCanada]

Hee hee ... Does this mean Spidey may one day change from your Friendly Neighbourhood Spiderman to your "Multinational Homogeneous Generic Spider Super Guy"? With sponsorship tags, stickers, patches and badges?

[Measure]

Sounds like Will needs to watch... or re-watch... the south park episode about Harbucks, with the underpants gnomes.

[Moncicorp]

Reminds me of my job at a comic/game shop in El Paso...best job ever even though I make ten times what I made there income-wise. I still pop in and try to find something to buy to keep the owner in business. Gets harder to find interesting stuff since the market has changed so much since I was in high school. I think that the small shop will always have it's niche, unfortunately, there's never really as much money in it as other career paths.