The story behind the opening of downtown Ferndale's newest store, Detroit Comics, is summed up quite nicely on its web site.
"Boy meets girl. Boy drags girl to every comic book store and convention in a 250-mile radius over 9 years. Girl soon realizes that not every comic book store is created equally. Boy marries girl. Boy hates job and they both decide to live out a passion and open a comic book store."
That comic book store will open its doors for a soft opening on Friday and a grand opening on Saturday. It is moving into a 12,000-square-foot storefront at 23333 Woodward five blocks north of 9 Mile Road on the west side of Woodward near Maplehurst Street.
Co-owners Brian and Lori Kelly recently moved back to Metro Detroit from a 6-year stay in Chicago and now live a few houses away from the store. They choose Ferndale because of its bustling atmosphere and low rents compared to places like Royal Oak.
"It was a no-brainer," Brian Kelly says. The young couple hopes to fill a niche for comic books in the area and plans to specialize in customer service as described on their web site.
"If you are tired of crappy and cluttered stores, we are the store for you. If you are tired of pretentious proprietors who could care less that you are in their store, we are the store for you. Whether you are old, young, female, geeky, or never have read a comic in your life, we hope you will stop in and see what we are all about."
Source: Brian Kelly, co-owner of Detroit Comics
Writer: Jon Zemke
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