New comic book store joins eclectic group of small businesses
“It feels like a place you’d bump into in Wellington… It’s just a really fun eclectic group of people.”
It’s fast become one of Invercargill’s more quirky spaces.
Above the Black Shag Cafe at 136 Dee St, you’ll find a record store - Threes & Sevens Records.
Down the hallway is a tattoo artist going about her work.
On Saturday a new comic store will also join the growing eclectic group of small businesses in that upstairs Dee St building space.
Leon Hartnett has had a passion for comic books ever since he was a six-year-old living in Ireland. His collection is impressive.
It was Threes & Sevens Records owner Jordan Cossill who initially suggested Hartnett should open up a comic book shop in the small space that had become available.
Hartnett - a Community Trust South trustee amongst other things - didn’t think he had the time.
Although after talking to a friend who operates a comic bookstore in Dunedin he thought more about it.
His mate opens in Dunedin during lunch hours a few days a week, and a bit at the weekend as well. People head along.
When another friend Mark Egginton told Hartnett he would be interested in getting involved, the idea gained a bit more traction.
The following day Hartnett heard the video store in south Invercargill - which had been selling comics - was planning to close.
“I thought everything is pointing me in this direction,” Hartnett said.
The new store Boom Comics will officially open at 10am on Saturday.
The new store is probably fuelled more by passion than money, but Hartnett hopes they get enough people through the doors to make it work.
“I think it’s a bit grandiose to call it a new business, maybe it could be.”
“If it covers itself and makes a wee bit of pocket money, that would be good. It is just something that has always appealed to me.”
He said they have built up some good stock to launch the new store. Hartnett is also looking forward to being around like-minded people.
“It is just quite a cool environment to be in with what Jordan is doing with his vinyls.
“It feels like a place you’d bump into in Wellington… It’s just a really fun eclectic group of people.”
The plan is that the store will also be open on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays at lunchtime for people to call in.