FORT MYERS, Fla. — “You know if it closes down I don’t know what I would do,” said Brian Chandler owner of Comics Cards and Stuff.
For comic lovers this is heaven. Comic Cards and Stuff in Fort Myers has been opened for over two decades. Brian Chandler who owns the store has been struggling to keep it open.
For years Chandler has spent much of his life collecting comics and operating the store until his father recently fell ill.
“I’d be closed for sometimes hours, sometimes a whole day, it would cost me business. Customers kind of weren’t sure when I was going to be here, so they kind of slacked off a little bit and its just snowballed since then”, said Chandler.
Now a close friend has started a go fund me to keep the store open.
“She says if you close there wouldn’t be anywhere where for any of us to go, any of us to get comic related materials from. She says you just do too much for this community to actually just disappear,” said Chandler.
Chandler says the store has definitely been a big part of the community.
“You look at it from the perspective of yes you’re a business owner, and yes you’ve been here forever, but you never realize how something like means to people,” said Chandler.
One long time customer heard the news and rushed in.
“I bought my first 15 - 20 comics here I’m coming in today to make my final purchase if it doesn’t stay around for very much longer,” said David Miller, a longtime customer.
Chandler is devastated by the fact he may have to shut down for good, but he appreciates the support from customers.
“I am truly grateful to the entire community for everything they are doing to help out and to kind of keep things going for me,” said Chandler.
