It is Sunday August 5th 2013, I walk into Graham Crackers Lakeview for the first time and buy a Forever Evil Villains Month Lenticular Cover, and ask if they are hiring. The Manager at the time says no.
It is Tuesday November 5th 2013, I have just signed up for a club subscription at Graham Crackers Comics Lakeview. I purchased Longshot Saves the Marvel Universe #1 even though I am not a Longshot fan.
It is Monday March 24th 2014, I just bought my first C2E2 pass at GCC Lakeview along with the first 3 issues of Deadly Class and the last issue of Superior Spider-Man. Manager said they still weren’t hiring.
It is Thursday November 20th 2014, I helped sort some comics for GCC Lakeview to prep for their sale for some store credit. I bought Brian Michael Bendis’ Daredevil Back Issues with my credit. Manager said they will be hiring soon.
It is Wednesday January 14th 2015, I started my first shift at GCC Lakeview. Star Wars #1 from Marvel Comics was released. I also bought both Mortal Kombat X #1 connecting covers that I didn’t need, it’s still the only MK game I haven’t played.
It is Tuesday May 24th 2016, I start my first shift at the old Graham Crackers Comics Edgewater store after leaving my other part time job, working exclusively for GCC. The EW manager is nice, he refers to me as “My Man”. I unpack a box containing DC Rebirth and learn that the New 52 wasn’t caused by editors but by the Blue Man that inspired the way this article is written.
It is Thursday September 21st 2017, I am hosting RAD. a fun show, a DIY comedy show, for the first time in the basement of GCC Lakeview. I am distracted, the day before an issue of Invincible came out that included a much-anticipated battle between Mark Grayson and the series’ main villain. The show was a success; we have almost 6 more years of Basement Comedy.
It is Friday October 13th 2017, I am standing in Graham Crackers Comics Lakeview as a groomsman in a wedding, yes, a wedding in a comic book store. Issue 3 of Tom King’s Miracle Man had just come out and I was talking to everyone at the wedding about how good that series is.
It is Friday June 22nd 2018, I am at Graham Crackers Lakeview getting my photo taken with Jimmy Hart, WWE Hall of Famer and former manager of many other WWE Hall of Famers. Black Hammer Age of Doom #1 comes out later that week and I am excited.
It is Thursday July 25th 2018, Saga started its long hiatus. I am sad.
It is Monday January 21st 2019, I’m standing in the backroom of GCC Lakeview and have been told I am being promoted to Manager. I was too excited to stay focused on a single comic book for the whole week.
It is Sunday March 8th 2020, I am heading to GCC Lakeview on my day off because someone broke in the store the night before. What started as something terrible is now mostly a funny story about the worst thief to break into a small retail store.
It is Wednesday April 29th 2020, Graham Crackers Comics Lakeview opens back up after being closed at the beginning of the pandemic! Our Fighting Forces Giant #1 was the only comic released that week.
It is Thursday July 22nd 2021, we decide to bring RAD. a fun show back to GCC Lakeview. Superman and the Authority #1 was released the day prior and I am very happy to be reading a Superman book by Grant Morrison.
It is Wednesday September 7th 2022, the last issue of Deadly Class is released. It is a bittersweet feeling. Feels like an end of an era.
It is Tuesday January 24th 2023, As I start my shift at Graham Crackers Comics Lakeview, I open an email explaining that the owners of the building our storefront is located in are knocking it down once the lease ends. I am sad, bummed, and crushed.
If you made it through all of that or skipped it, that was a timeline of my time here at Graham Crackers Lakeview. And no, I’m not leaving, but the store is moving. As you can see above, I have lots of memories here, from signings, to meeting most of my friends here, and the countless comedy shows we hosted in the basement of the store. This was the first comic shop I went to after moving to Chicago, it’s where I met my best friend, I saw two of my other closest friends get married here, I watched countless WrestleMania’s and other pay-per-views with groups of friends, and it’s where our previous manager Blake Donaldson, who’s now a comic book creator of his own right had his first comic book signing.. Some people joke that where they work is just their second home, well that’s not really a joke for me, I’ve probably spent more time in this store than any single apartment I’ve had here in the city. There are still a few more weeks to make a few more memories and enjoy the store as it is now while we can. For those who have shopped here, or shop here regularly we have 3 more RAD. a fun show events happening before we move locations.
And speaking of that! June 30th/July 1st we’ll be all moved into the new location (3120 N Sheffield Unit C)! Even with all the sentimentality of the current location I’m very excited to be so close to the Red/Brown/Purple line stop at Belmont. Our new location will be just down the street from the Vic theater and a block away from an Oberweis Ice Cream location which will be great for my taste buds and terrible for my waist line. Be sure to visit the old Lakeview location before we move and stay tuned for our GRAND RE-OPENING!
It is July 15th 2023, it is the Grand Re-opening of Graham Crackers Comics Lakeview’s new location and I am excited.