Serving the Geek Community for 20-Plus Years

It might not be an old adage but it's a fair assumption — if a comic book geek roams around a town long enough, he or she is bound to stumble into a the local comic-book store. For Port Washington's fans of science fiction, fantasy, and, of course, superheroes, Mint Condition Comic Books & Baseball Cards is the place to be.

Operating in Port Washington for more than 20 years and being run for the past five by former customer, Joe Peluso, Mint Condition is your one-stop shop for comic books, graphic novels, statues, and collectible card games.

"I was coming here as a customer since 1988 when the store was located on Main Street," Peluso said. "I've been reading books since the '60s and a lot of my own collection is for sale."

Peluso has created an atmosphere that not only allows for customers to shop, but for fans to congregate and discuss recent ongoings in the industry as well what's happening on sci-fi shows, movies, and even their personal lives.

"It's a really good atmosphere here," said Mint Condition patron and graphic artist Phil Taylor. "I come in all the time and talk to Joe, since I can relate to him, and he lets me vent."

Much like Peluso started as a customer and never left, his employee, Taylor Bowne, took the same route. "I was coming here for years and my weekly pull-list [the comics that Bowne gets on a weekly basis] was piling up, as well as my debt," he explained. "So when Joe took over, he asked me if I wanted to help out on Wednesdays, when the new books come in and work off my debt, and I've never left."

According to Bowne, Mint Condition is always looking for new ways to bring in revenue. "Basically, it's evolve or die," he said. "Not only in this economy, but especially in the fickle comic-book industry."

In addition to a Web site being built and a back issue collection dating back to the Silver Age, Mint Condition is a haven for people who like playing in collectible card game tournaments, such as Magic: The Gathering, or the superhero-themed Hero-Clix, which instead of cards, features mini-figurines of your favorite characters.

"We have all kinds of tournaments," Peluso said. "Mondays is Hero-Clix, Tuesday is a pot luck where the kids come in and play what they want, and Magic and Yu-Gi-Oh on Fridays and Saturdays."

Like any local store, patrons are loyal and speak fondly of their favorite establishment.

"Mint is a great place to hang out," said Peter Sardinha, a groundskeeper at the Cantiague Park in Hicksville. "Mint's a fun place to be to have a good conversation about anything — comics or otherwise."

"I love Mint Condition," said Frank Santoli, a maintenance operator in the Port Washington Public Schools. "I don't know where I'd go without it."