Part 9/11:
Leef Smith, owner of Mission Comics and Art, echoes this sentiment. Comic book stores, often operating on thin margins and under-capitalized, have faced similar challenges. After a tough period in 2017, Mission Comics adopted a sponsorship model akin to Borderlands, allowing loyal customers to support the store’s ongoing existence. Such strategies have helped these niche stores weather economic storms while maintaining their vital role as community touchpoints.