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Best Movie/Themed Boutique – Diamond Best Practice Awards Nominees For The Autumn

To be voted on by comic book retailers, and awarded at NYCC, here are the nominations for Diamond Comic Distributor's Best Practice Awards, under the category of Best Movie/Themed Boutique.

Remember you've got to be in it to win it… and retailers who vote are up for $250 worth of free Diamond Select Toys in-stock merchandise as well.

Oh goodness and look who's up top…

Quick Stop Comic Shop – Lincoln Park, MI

An essential part of the customer experience at Quick Stop Comic Shop in the Detroit suburb of Lincoln Park is the electronic custom Tardis that greets customers as they enter the store. Conceptualized and designed by storeowner Dennis Barger, the 4' x 3.5' installation has been a draw to the store since it was installed a year and a half ago. Barger says "The Tardis serves as a great conversation piece that is a hook for existing customers to bring in their friends to check it out. Creating a fun and unique customer experience is at the cornerstone of what we are about and the Tardis has certainly helped to forward that goal."

The Tardis took two months to build, encapsulating approximately 200 man-hours. It wasn't inexpensive either according to Barger! Barger comments "The Tardis was one of the biggest single investments of time AND money when I opened my shop, but it has been worth every minute and every penny! The return on investment has been obvious almost right from the start."

"One of the best things is seeing a kid who comes in the store, not knowing what the Tardis is. After we introduce them to it and the world of Doctor Who, they are usually hooked!" notes long-time store manager Trish Shotts.

In addition to creating a unique in-store experience, Barger has also featured the Tardis in his regular "Daily D at 3" Facebook Live programming. "The response when we feature the Tardis is PHENOMENAL!" noted Barger. "We couldn't PAY for a better promotion for our store and our online Amazon marketplace."

The Dragon – Guelph, Ontario, Canada

After the success of our pop-up store in December of 2014, we decided to expand our existing store to include a merchandise boutique. It's located to the right as you walk in through the door.

We feature an eye-catching plush rotating display to draw people in -themed islands of merchandise: Star Wars, Doctor Who, Harry Potter, Pokemon, Walking Dead, Disney -wall of hats, toys, and t-shirts -jewellery cabinet with a range of necklaces, cufflinks, earrings, and bracelets -we carry mugs, wallets, hats and scarves, bags, keychains -impulse-buy display of Pop keychains and pens right by the counter

Uncanny! Comics – King of Prussia, PA

Uncanny! works hard to keep current with what's going on in the comic book/ pop culture industry. We've dedicated a section of our store to feature what's new. We've had displays for every major comic book themed movie that has been released in 2016, by doing this we provide a one stop shopping experience for our customers. They have the ability to shop for apparel, trade paperbacks, and other items themed around the most recent theatrical release. The example we have for you is our "Suicide Squad" display . We also had the pleasure this year of being selected by DC Entertainment to host a free advance showing of "Suicide Squad" at the King of Prussia Movie theaters in 3D Imax.

Space Cadets Collection Collection – Oak Ridge North, TX

We spend lots of time each month making sure that we have displays tying in our comics and merchandise to upcoming movies and TV shows. It really shows in our sales numbers for the items placed there. We sold so many Suicide Squad, Joker and Harley Graphic Novels because of the related display and likewise with the Civil War display. We have recently also done displays tied in with popular video games as well, most successfully with Pokemon and the related manga and comics. It exposes our customers to items they might not have thought about.

Viera Comics – Melbourne, FL

Gods & Monsters – Orlando, FL

We placed a heavy focus on theming throughout our store and lounge when we designed it. We had our talented artist friends (professional scenic artists working for Disney & Universal) help us bring our favorite fandoms to life. Our checkout area is themed after Arkham Asylum to great detail. The staff even wear lab coats with security clearance name badges to add to the experience. We had local artists do beautiful murals for Marvel, Sandman, Hellboy, Angela, and Heavy Metal and Conan cover artist, Toni Taylor did a stunning 6' tall 4-sided oil painting around our fantasy column. Our Genre sections for DC, Marvel, Adventure, Sci-Fi, Fantasy and Horror are also fully themed out complete with FX lighting. The concessions/craft beer bar in our Offworld L.O.U.N.G.E. is themed after the White Dragon Noodle Bar in Blade Runner. We even have special themed booths made for large gaming groups. Booths on one side of the lounge are themed after the Nostromo in Alien, and the booths on opposite end are themed after taverns in Skyrim. We also have a column themed out after the modern Mad Max movie and a themed out Walking Dead section complete with contagion pod with the Teddy Bear Girl zombie contained inside.

Jesse James Comics – Glendale, AZ

Our Best top performing titles in the store, are also the most highlighted having their own themed or boutiques in the store. Walking Dead and Outcast continue to be our Best selling items every month.  They consist of 25% of our business.  Star Wars has become our best over all Brand, because of toys, and has a HUGE area in the store.  Deadpool and Harley Quinn tables are constantly being restock and hold A+ areas in the store near the front doors.

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