RICHMOND, Ind. – For nearly a decade, Comic Relief has been a gathering place for readers, collectors and fans in downtown Richmond.
The shop recently celebrated its nine-year anniversary, marking a milestone for a business that began with a simple realization as Richmond was about to lose its only source for new comics.
“The idea came into being when I saw Hastings was going out of business. One of my favorite places to frequent in Richmond. And I knew they were the only place in town to get new comics,” Fudge said.
Comic Relief officially opened on January 12, 2017, after what Fudge described as a steep learning curve, from contacting distributors and vendors to real estate agents and banks. “The process was arduous. I had no idea where to start and just fumbled my way through it,” he said.
Since then, adaptation and luck have played major roles in the store’s success. “Through opening the shop, I have met some amazing people in this town. People who are kind, generous with their time, money, understanding and they endured the speed bumps as we fine-tuned our process.” He also credits the store’s general manager, Josh Minor.
Now located at 100 North 9th Street, Comic Relief offers wall-to-wall shelves of weekly comics from major publishers, along with high-end action figures and collectibles. Fudge said these items can’t be found anywhere else within a large mile radius. Customers are greeted with new inventory each week, and a big welcoming smile from Josh.
Staff work hard to help customers find what they want, ordering to make sure readers never miss an installment with their subscription service. “If there’s something you’re looking for and we don’t have it in stock, ask us! We can order most anything,” he said.
“There are literally thousands of different titles, so let us know what you’re looking for.”
Fudge said if someone walks into the door at Comic Relief, staff are ready to help and also provide great conversation. “We’ve developed a great customer base that come in and feel like family and have formed a community with each other. It’s been an amazing experience,” he said.
“As a comic collector, you want to be able to speak about what you’re reading with someone who is also reading those titles. So, every week is like a little book club where you can come in and geek out over the latest issue or air out your grievances with it. Sometimes at the same time!”
Fudge started the store with his father, who has since passed. “Keeping the shop alive is also a part of me wanting to honor his memory and show my gratitude for everything he did for me as my father.” He was 27 when the shop opened, having returned to Eaton, where he lived in high school.
Today, he’s focused on keeping print alive and hopes the community will join him.
“Don’t let print die. Make sure you’re reading. Make sure you’re using that imagination muscle regularly.”
More information can be found on their website, comicreliefcomics.com.
