Posted in: Comics | Tagged: Comics, entertainment, kowabunga, Oconomowoc

Saving The Comic Book Store Of Oconomowoc

In Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, a comic store, Kowabunga Comics is closing as the store owner is retiring. He writes,

Word may have gotten around to you that I will be stepping away from the store at the end of June.

This means one of two things for you

1.  There is a group of long time customers who are interested in buying out the store and building on its existing foundation.  This will mean no real change for you.

We will know Mid May if this group wants to go through with the buyout, and they will in all likelihood try to do some heavy fund raising, Kickstarter and other events, in the meantime.  If you think Kowabunga is worth keeping in Oconomowoc, now would be the time to make your voice heard.

2. If the group of long time customers do not buy the store, I will likely keep my distribution accounts open so I can continue to get comics for my loyal, long standing customers.  In this event, it is likely I'd partner with Books And Company in Whitman Mall to distribute the books.

In this second event, I would also continue to supply Kowabunga's gaming Judges product so they can continue to run their events at some venue locally.

So, that's about all there is to know at this point.

Well, those customers have launched their Kickstarter appeal to raise money to buy the comic store and keep it as a going concern. Why not donate a few dollars to help them on their way? I am.

It has always been Kowabunga's philosophy that there's no point in having a shop if you can't give back to the community. Kowabunga has worked with the Oconomowoc Library, the Oconomowoc Food Pantry and offered Art Classes not only through the store, but also

in many of the local schools. In 2013, Kowabunga helped save the Towne Cinema in the neighboring city of Watertown and assisted Moonlit Movies of Oconomowoc in organizing their huge downtown outdoor movie event, Ocomicon! This is an effort we think is worth carrying forward.

More importantly, Kowabunga Comics has been a second home to many of us, providing a safe place for k

ids to game, fit in, socialize and mature. Kowabunga Comics has always run a great assortment of games such as Magic the Gathering, Pokemon, Heroclix, Card Fight Vanguard, My Little Pony CCG, Dungeon & Dragons and Pathfinder. Moreover, they have been committed to bringing in new games the customers want to play.

And they're looking to up their game as well.

One of the things the new management structure will bring to the store is many more hands to do the work, and enthusiasm for the product. We will be able to expand hours, add gaming days, expand our game lines, attend conventions to promote the store and run more community events.

We feel, as do many of the folks we have talked to in making this decision, that it would be a shame if Oconomowoc lost a resource as valuable as Kowabunga, which for years has been a safe place for our kids, friends and neighbors to hang out and play games respectfully, grow, meet new folks with similar interest. We think that is worth preserving and we hope, like many of your neighbors, that you do too!

So what do you reckon folks? Can you help a comic store out?

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