San Leandro Business Owner Brings Comic Con Experience to the East Bay

More than 500 comics and toy collectors flocked to the Veterans Memorial Building last August 7 for the Bay Area Comic Con organized by Jorge Monzon, owner of Ed’s Shoe Repair and Toy Shop in Downtown San Leandro. At least 30 vendors participated in this buy-sell-trade event where the guest with the best costume wins a cash prize.

“It’s not just about making money from our toy collection. We are also here to trade and check out what other collectors have. We came to have fun,” said Sam Nacino of Daly City-based Bay Area Toy Collectors. These comic lovers and toy collectors from all four corners of the Bay Area congregate several times a year during similar events or conventions. Comic artists and food sellers also participated in this recent East Bay convention.

Bay Area Comic Con’s organizer Jorge Monzon, who learned to repair shoes since he was 12 years old, hails from Guatemala. “I was inspired by the San Diego Comic Con so I told myself, ‘Why not here in my area?’”, he explained. “We started last year and we plan to grow and get better every time. We will continue doing this at least twice a year until we can attract thousands of guests and visitors,” he added. Monzon opened his shoe repair business in San Leandro about three years ago after his former employer went out of business.

But why a toy store inside his shop? “I love toys and I want to do my business while having fun at the same time. Having these toys around me, I feel like I can live here in my shop,” Monzon playfully said. As a father of three, he loves spending time with his kids by involving them in the fun part of his business – promoting his toy store and the Bay Area Comic Con.

Knowing how to balance his work life and family life will be the key to this entrepreneur’s success. With his youthful passion and strong determination, Monzon is on his way to achieving his dream. To continue this momentum, he has scheduled the next Bay Area Comic Con on October 9 at the Veterans Memorial Building (1105 Bancroft Ave.). For more information, call (510) 357-8887.