Pro wrestlers opening shop that focuses on comics, cereal and caffeine

In the wrestling ring, Nick "Your Captain" Andolina is a surly sea captain, Jason "Savior" Hilton is God's favorite son* and Colin Delaney is just a guy who is good at getting beat up.

Outside the ring, the three men are the affable owners of POP ROC, a quirky shop that focuses on comic books, caffeinated beverages and cereal. At 337 East Ave., it opens Friday. Liz Andolina, Nick's wife, is the fourth co-owner.

It was wrestling that initially brought the men together. Delaney, 31, has been a professional wrestler since 2005; he wrestled for World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) from 2007 to 2008, and again in 2017. Delaney trained Hilton, 40, and Andolina, 27, and they went on to wrestle professionally as well.

"We're all great friends," Andolina said.

The shop represents their love for pop culture, from cartoons to comic books.

"I remember going with my dad to the comic book store," Hilton said. His wish is to foster that enthusiasm in the next generation, with a family-friendly business that appeals to many generations.

For comic book readers, it will offer a comic discovery program. For $20 per month, members will be able to read 20 different titles in the shop each week (they will be selected by the shop) and will also get a discount on purchases.

The food offerings are something that might have been conceived by Buddy the Elf. Twenty cereals, mostly sugary, are available by the bowl ($3 for a generous bowl) and can be mixed. Toppings such as cereal marshmallows, fresh fruit, coconut, candy, nuts and chocolate syrup can be added for an extra charge. Various kinds of milk, including almond milk, can tie it all together.

In addition, the shop will serve doughnuts from Misfit Doughnut and Treats. The shop at 982 Monroe Ave. makes vegan doughnuts, many with pop culture references (one is named the Darth Vader, and another the Yoda) and others incorporating cereal.

"It's just a natural fit," Nick Andolina said.

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The coffees come from Rochester's Fifth Frame Brewing Company and Canaltown Coffee Roasters, as well as Death Wish Coffee, a Round Lake, Saratoga County, company that bills itself as being the world's strongest coffee.

"We are the Coyote Ugly of coffee shops," Hilton said. "We don't serve decaf."

It also has a cooler filled with caffeinated drinks including Mountain Dew, Red Bull and Monster Energy. Bottled water, orange juice and Little Hug fruit barrels are available for those that don't need a jolt. It will not serve alcohol, but will offer "mocktails," made from nonalcoholic beverages.

At first glance, the former home to Magic Wings struck the owners as their ideal space, but they eventually had a change of heart.

"We grew to hate all of it," said Delaney. "We wanted to make it all our own."

Over the past month or so, the walls were given a fresh coat of paint. The bar has an eye-catching top made of waves of colorful acrylic paint, accented by glitter and sealed with a glossy sheen. Shelves of comic books and pop culture collectibles line the walls. Televisions are tuned to cartoons. A small side room has a television and Nintendo console for playing video games.

The initial hours are 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., but will be adjusted as the owners get a sense for demand.

*Hilton's wrestling persona does represent his Christian faith; he attends Bethel Christian Fellowship. "Since God loves all his sons and daughters the same, we're all his favorite," he explains.

TRACYS@Gannett.com