A Historic San Leandro Comic Shop Is On The Brink Of Closure

SAN LEANDRO, CA — A San Leandro comic book shop isn't ready to turn its final page of the chapter just yet.

The owners of The Comic Shop, a San Leandro "treasure" since the late 1970s, are asking for the public's help in keeping the store open.

The Comic Shop co-owner, Eric Ott, started a fundraiser in November and has been accepting donations to help the store stave off closure. Since then, business hasn't gotten better, and donations have mostly stopped trickling in, raising only $1,665 toward its $25,000 goal.

"Coming out of a very slow summer and autumn season, we were counting on the holiday gifting season to pick us back up, but unfortunately, it did not," Ott said.

Although the donations helped them catch up on some bills, the shop is "right back where we started in November with a very bleak outlook," Ott said.

Ott and the shop team have now begun discussing next steps and what needs to be done to avoid going into further debt. But Ott and the team wanted to give fundraising and a few other ideas one more shot before officially calling it quits.

"We understand many people are going through an incredibly tough time these days and that the economy is rocky," Ott said in the GoFundMe. "However, as an owner of a beloved third space that has been home to so many in San Leandro for over 4 decades, we are truly devastated to have to write this."

In addition to the fundraiser, the shop will be hosting a 50% off in-store sale in hopes of saving up enough money to stay open for a few more months. The sale will run through Saturday, Feb. 7.

"We appreciate any and all donations and shares that our community can provide," Ott said. "Thank you."