One chapter ends, a new one begins...

Today, I closed our storefront for Sidekick Comics. Locking that door for the last time was one of the hardest things I've ever done, and it capped a week of reflecting and remembering. It was an emotional moment, one with tears, laughs, and smiles.

Many people are saddened by the store closing. Others have been upset. A few were even angry. The hardest part of this decision is that the store was successful. A personal family situation caused us to have to close the doors. I'm choosing to look at the positives of the situation, particularly all the wonderful things I've taken from this experience. Things such as:

FRIENDS- Many of the relationships I've forged through the store have grown beyond customer level. There were friendships made, and those friendships will last a lifetime.

MEMORIES- I have so many wonderful stories, experiences, and opportunities that I wouldn't have had had the shop not existed.

ACHIEVEMENT- For fifteen months I got to live a dream I've had my entire life: I owned a comic shop. I built it from scratch, ran it according to my own standards, and it was successful. I feel our shop was a positive in the community, and we have no regrets. I feel we did a good job running our shop, and I'm very proud of what we achieved.

Sidekick Comics is not disappearing. We're simply adapting to our situation. We will continue to sell vintage comics and geek collectibles online and through eBay. We will making appearances at local comic shows and conventions.

I'm using my newfound time to recommit myself to my other passions. Ventures that I hope our customers will support through our various social media sites. I'm going to begin a weekly podcast. I am reinventing and revitalizing our YouTube channel to feature weekly geek programming. I'm going to begin writing again... both my comics and my blog.

I want to thank all of our wonderful customers. Without them, the store could not have existed. You made this an amazing fifteen months that I will never forget. You have given me the opportunity to continue to peddle picture books, and to explore my other geek passions.

I would like to thank my family. Their hard work, commitment, and sacrifices made my dream a reality. They worked hard and have made me so proud of the way the represented our store and our family. I'm extremely blessed, and they've proven that many times to me.

This is isn't a goodbye... it's simply a transition. Stick with me folks, it's going to be fun.