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Manhattan Comic Store, Chameleon Comics, Closes After 30 Years

Published Sat, 16 Mar 2019 13:30:40 -0500

Last updated Sat, 16 Mar 2019 13:34:16 -0500

In 1989, Jimmy Wu opened a comic shop called Comics Underground. It began as a modest stall in the basement of the local Busy Bee Mall, in Flushing, Queens. Jimmy, partnering with his brother, Steve Wu, decided to expand the business to include sportscards.

When the store moved above the ground in 1992, to a street level storefront on Maiden Lane, Manhattan, it needed a new name. Chameleon Comics was a big hit.

Twenty-seven years later, it seems enough is enough. Hence this street sign, indicating the store will be closing at the end of the month, due to a 40% rent increase.

Another Manhattan store, St Marks in the East Village, also recently closed after 36 years, similarly referring to increased rents. They made it a bit of a party… People turned up from the West Coast, even Germany and Hungary to bid the store adieu.

The CBLDF's Alex Cox there, who used to work at the store and almost turned up in an episode of Sex And The City as a result…

Bleeding Cool tries to mark the passing of comics stores as well as their opening. Existing fanbases are likely to make the former more well known, but please let us know if a comic store is opening or closing in your neighbourhood. Just e-mail richjohnston@bleedingcool.com.

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