We mentioned a week ago that Metropolis Comix of Sacramento, California, was to close at the end of the year. Now nearby store Broadway Comics and Cards is to join it, after 30 years in the business. The store posted to its Facebook page:

In the meantime, I hope you will stop by and say hello. We've got everything on sale. 40% off Graphic Novels, 50% off all back issue comics and 20% off everything else.

We were given some history… and the future of the store.

Today begins the end of an era that started so long ago. It was February 19, 1988 I started Broadway Comics and Cards, and have met so many wonderful people. If you remember the year 1988, there was no internet! And now because of the internet and, probably, Amazon, I have decided to join the ranks of the online sellers. I have gotten to meet many customers and have made many friends. Many customers came back after being away for years, and I didn't even recognize them until they spoke or told me what they bought from me, and I openly smiled and thanked them for coming by and visiting. I have had numerous parents thank me for providing kids a safe place to stay and play and helping them not get involved into something like drugs or crime. This one kid, I remember, I traded swimming lessons for my daughter in exchange for a box of Yugioh cards. I always thought he was kinda sketchy, but I didn't ask too many questions. He always came in and stayed to play Yugioh often until closing til one day he didn't come back. Years later, it turns out he comes back a grown man, is a doctor, and lives in New York. I didn't even recognize him. "Wow!", I said. His mom came in after him and just thanked me for keeping him safe from trouble. That day was powerful! It's not the end, however, as I will be taking the fight to the internet and selling stuff there and doing shows. But today begins the end of an era that started so long ago. So I just want to thank everyone for their support and wish me luck in my new endeavor.

With just a touch of conspiracy theory for their recent rival:

Metro is already closed! I think something fishy with them being so closed so fast.

The store will close on January 10th.

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.