(Akron, Ohio) - After 24 years, the longest running comic book store in Akron has moved its location from a small space in Quaker Square to a storefront in Downtown Akron. Rubber City Comics, formerly known as Quaker Square Comics, is now open at a new location at 74 E. Mill Street.

 

The business is the fourth client of the Downtown Akron Partnership (DAP) pop-up retail program, which aims to help business development and improve city vibrancy by filling vacant spaces with retail shops. DAP will provide rental assistance for the first six months as part of its support from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.

 

Owner Scott Malensek said the new location has already attracted almost double the customers.

 

Malensek said the new, larger space will not limit what they can do. The store focuses on comics, graphic novels, supplies, action figures, apparel and other collectables.

 

Malensek said what makes Rubber City Comics stand out from other comic book stores are the customers.

 

"We're defined largely by the people right around us. We let the customers help evolve us and develop," Malensek said. "And that's where we have our focus. We're a reflection of our customers."

 

Two other things that make Rubber City Comics special are their free subscription service and the consignment. Manager Thom Hoff said the subscription service is flexible enough so that if someone wanted to jump on or jump off, it's a quick process.

 

Rubber City Comics isn't just a place to purchase items; customers come just to hang out and speak the language.

 

"This is a destination. It's the kind of place where people come," Hoff said. "We have built a community."

 

Customers of Rubber City Comics vary in age -from little kids, to college students, to adults.

 

"Comics are fan-driven," said Malensek. "It stays with you your whole life. When you're a little kid and you go into a comic book store, you get that excited feeling when you walk in, and that stays with you when you're a grown up."

 

Rubber City Comics and their neighbor Sweet Mary's Bakery will have a combined grand opening on Feb. 20. Special guest Thom Zahler, writer and artist of the fan-favorite superhero romantic comedy Love and Capes, will attend the event. Zahler has also written and drawn issues of the successful My Little Pony mini-series. Recently, he sold his first script to the Ultimate Spider-Man animated cartoon airing on Disney XD. Zahler will be signing autographs, drawing pictures and chatting with attendees. Additional artists and writers appearing include Dave Wilson and AJ Sobeno. Additional details can be found on the shop's Facebook page.

 

 

About Downtown Akron Partnership

The mission of Downtown Akron Partnership (DAP) is to promote and build a vibrant and valuable downtown. DAP is a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing people, activity, business and a thriving civic life to the heart of Akron. Through strategic marketing, clean and safe programs and management of downtown's resources, DAP works to promote downtown as a gathering place in the center of our community.

 

DAP's members include property owners, business leaders and government officials who want to improve the image of downtown as a safe, convenient location for business, working professionals and families. DAP is governed by a board of trustees as diverse as the interests of our city. DAP is supported by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, Akron Community Foundation and GAR Foundation.