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Challengers Comics + Conversation of Chicago Open Second Store in River North

Published Mon, 04 Nov 2019 13:30:43 -0600

Back in 2017, Challengers Comics + Conversation of Chicago were posting warnings about the nature of the comic book industry and their place in it. Well, things must have gone a little better since then.

Challengers Comics + Conversation has announced the upcoming opening of their second comic book retail location at 750 N. Franklin St, Suite #103, in Chicago's River North neighbourhood.

Open for almost 12 years in Bucktown, Challengers owners Patrick Brower and W. Dal Bush feel the time is right for expansion. "Comic books and graphic novels are better now than they've ever been, and the subject matter is so diverse that reading a 'comic book' is now an everyday occurrence for more people than ever before," says Brower. "Having started Challengers in Chicago and seeing so many people buy their first comic is such an amazing feeling that we want to do more of it."

W. Dal Bush is a life-long comic book fan and a long-time comic book retailer. "Patrick has been selling comics for over 29 years, and I'm coming up on 28," says Bush, "But every day still feels new and exciting with the quality of material that is being created today."

Challengers is a comic book store, not a collectables store. They don't sell priceless artefacts; they don't sell investments. They sell reading material; and, in their opinion, today's comics and graphic novels are the best form of entertainment available.

Since opening their first location in March 2008, Challengers has received "Best Of" awards from the Chicago Reader, Chicago Magazine and Newcity, and was awarded the comic book industry's version of the Academy Award in the form of the Will Eisner "Spirit of Comics" Retail Award.

"Our family's been in River North for 60 years. I'm thrilled to have Challengers as a neighbor. Good guys, great brick and mortar business and more foot traffic," said Guido Nardini, co-owner of Club Lago restaurant and bar. "Can't wait to raise a glass to their arrival. Did I mention my brother and I are their customers? Our commute just got very convenient…"

"I've been going to Challengers since they first opened," said James VanOsdol, long-time Chicago on-air personality (WKQX, WLUP, WGN, WXRT). "The vibe is always welcoming, and I completely trust Patrick and Dal to help me find titles I'm going to love. Their enthusiasm for comics is undeniable."

The River North Challengers will be open for business on Friday, November 29, 2019, at 11:00am.