Posted in: Comics | Tagged:

Happy Harbor Comics of Edmonton, Canada Saved by Wonderland

Published Wed, 26 Dec 2018 16:00:36 -0600

Bleeding Cool had only just reported that Vancouver store The Comicshop was closing, when we heard that another Canadian comics store was biting the dust. Happy Harbor Comics of Edmonton was to close.

On December 19th, they announced,

HAPPY HARBOR COMICS IS CLOSING

19 1/2 years ago it began but sadly, all things must come to an end.

For nearly 2 decades Shawna and I worked to try and provide the best in comics to the Edmonton fan community. Over time, and with the help of many talented and dedicated staff and volunteers, the mission successfully grew to reach out to new and lapsed readers in communities all across Alberta (and further!). We made sure to cover all the bases with mainstream (even that menace Spider-Man), indie, and super-importantly, locally made comics!

In the past several years we expanded our All-Ages section to an award-winning level (thanks to Archie getting married), nurtured a much needed PRIDE section, and built a library/school program to ensure the best materials (and Spider-Man) are on the shelves in hundreds of libraries all around the province.

We developed programs to support the creative community as well, from our Artist-in-Residence program to the Kid's Camps to the Open Door collective and more. To us at The Harbor, the creation of comics was as important as the enjoyment derived from reading and collecting them.

HH also played a part in developing comics fandom by purchasing tables at the long-running Pop Culture Fair and giving those tables for free to local creators, starting in 2006. As well, both Shawna and I served on the Board of Directors for the Calgary Comic & Entertainment Expo during years 2 through 4, an amazing experience even with all the Spider-Man cosplayers.

Advocating for comics literacy was key as well. Beginning in late 2007, HH and local artist volunteers would visit schools and talk to students about how comics are made. This morphed in our Comic Book Fair program which visited 77 different schools and donated more than $10,000 worth of comics back to those libraries.

But all of this you know already.
So what does HH closing mean to you and your hobby?

There will be 2 more weeks of comics for file customers, tomorrow (including Amazing Spider-Man) and Wed, Dec 26.
This should everyone a fair amount of time to find a new provider for their hobby. While we know it won't be the same, we ask that you don't give up on your love for comics.

Our current team of Corinne (Been), Tania, Rudi, Kyle, Britt, Andrew, and Sylvia will all be wrapping up their duties and shifts as of Dec 31. Then HH will be around until Jan 31 with some revised hours as we clean stuff out.

We are planning a massive THANK YOU party on Saturday, Jan 26 so keep that date open on your calendar! There will be more details to come.

This news will shock most of you and for the suddenness of it all, we do apologize. Shawna and I have been discussing this for some time and we've both felt it was time for us to do something different. We have been spoiled and are extremely grateful to have met hundreds of amazing people over the years who share our passion for this wonderful medium. We couldn't have asked for a better time of our lives.

It has been a long and often rewarding adventure but the world is full of adventures so, in the words of a famous little blonde-haired boy and his tiger,
"Let's go exploring"

– Jay

The response from grief-stricken customers was off the chart. On the 22nd, they added,

HH file customers (and all customers!) – HANG TIGHT!

Major announcement tomorrow.
Some may say it's a Christmas miracle…

Could customers hope? Could they dream? They could. Later that day they replied,

HH LIVES ON!
SAY HELLO TO WONDERLAND GAMES!

Hi everyone,

It has been an intense and emotional week. When Shawna and I announced on Tuesday evening that we were ready to close Happy Harbor's doors, we never imagined the overwhelming outpouring of support, sadness, stories, and appreciation we would receive. When we decided to close the store, we were confident it was the right choice for us. The response to the announcement helped us realize Happy Harbor meant more to our customers and community than we knew.

That outpouring of emotion and support did not go unnoticed. The media shared our story far and wide, catching the attention of a chain of Northern Alberta stores called Wonderland Games (Wonderland Grande Prairie) . The folks at Wonderland understand and appreciate the contributions Happy Harbor has made to the comics community.

They want those contributions to continue.

On Wednesday afternoon, Vince Joyall, owner of Wonderland, called the store and expressed interest in purchasing Happy Harbor. That talk led to conversations with many people, a lot of number crunching and then to an unexpected but heartening call Thursday afternoon.

Wonderland committed not just to purchase Happy Harbor, but also to keep the store's spirit alive. The new owners will retain the store's passionate, knowledgeable staff. Many of the great programs we initiated will continue. The Artist-in-Residence position will live on in a new Happy Harbor Comics Studio embedded within the Wonderland store. The outreach to schools and libraries will carry on. The inspiration and education of future generations of comics' creators will remain in our art camps for kids (young and old.)

The new ownership brings with it new product lines to attract new fans and expand the Happy Harbor community. Warhammer, an expanded tabletop games section, and more collectible card game events, like Magic the Gathering and Pokémon, will join Edmonton's largest comics selection in a comfortable and friendly atmosphere.

What does this mean for Happy Harbor's customers?

If you have a file, there will be a little hiccup, but operations will return to normal by January 9th. Thankfully, we have the resources to cover the majority of people's orders, but there may be a bit of a delay.
We wholeheartedly encourage file customers to stay and have already put to use all our resources to fill all pre-orders!

If you're someone who likes to pick off the shelf, again, there will be a slight delay, but things will be back to normal pretty quickly. You'll be serviced by many of the same staff who offer fun conversation and great recommendations week after week.

Everyone will get even more opportunities to celebrate their fandom as Wonderland adds new and exciting events to the great many things Happy Harbor already does.

WONDERLAND has been a family owned business for 29 years and is passionate about comics and games. They understand the importance of continuity and collecting and will strive to solve any small issues that may come up. We never dreamed people with Wonderland's resources and commitment would share and support Happy Harbor's philosophy to the extent that the store would be able to continue to serve you with the excellence we strive to bring to all aspects of our work. The programs, outreach, wonder, and support the community has come to expect and appreciate will not be lost after all, and no one has ever been so happy to have their expectations proven wrong as we are today.

We encourage you all to stay with these good people as they strive to maintain what we all, together, have built. Many people have talked about what Happy Harbor means to them these past few days. Let's all work together to welcome and support Wonderland as they keep this important legacy alive.

And I promise, you'll see us around the shop. After all, we still love comics.

– Jay & Shawna

With Wonderland posting on their Facebook page,

Merry Christmas & Seasons Greetings every one! We have wonderful news to share. Wonderland Games has purchased the legendary comic store Happy Harbor Comics in Edmonton. We are excited to work with all the passionate staff of Happy Harbor and continue to serve the community of Edmonton. The response has been overwhelming. Thank you all!

And they all promise a Thank You/Welcome Wonderland party on January 26th…

Bleeding Cool covers the closing – and opening – of comic book stores. We're more likely to discover the former rather than the latter as the result of an active fanbase, so please let us know when a new store in your neighbourhood is opening: richjohnston@gmail.com

Enjoyed this? Please share on social media!