About Us - Comic Emporium

Established 2000; Owned & operated by Greg Ray and Gina Hall from 2000 - Present. We began in a tiny out of the way location with the simple dream of providing a safe and fun atmosphere for nerds like us to hang out in. We stocked our shelves with our own collections, family and friends pitched in to help us open the doors on a shoestring budget and for the first 2 months we struggled. Then one fateful afternoon during our third month as we prepared to close our doors for the final time having run completely out of money, out of credit and out of time something miraculous took place. A family stepped across the threshhold and said, "We love what you have started to build here, would you be open to a partnership." With a resounding "YES!" the shop was saved. Now this family wasn't just any family, turns out that the husband was someone who a long long time ago in a comic shop not too far away had shared in many an adventure with a fellow teenager, Greg, in one of his very first D&D groups ran by the shop's owner, Bob (This same Bob would find CE a couple of years later and would also join forces). Fast forward 20 or so years and these two meet again without realizing it and renew a bond that would create something spectacular in the stormy coastal city. Business blossomed with Greg at the helm and Gina keeping all the financials in order, we got smarter, wiser, and never stopped trying to grow. Gina put her artistic skills to work in conjunction with Greg's vision and the shop became more than a club house it became a tourist's destination. Things were good, other stores came and went with very little ruffling of our feathers.
 

Then in October 2018 disaster struck! 

Hurricane Michael blew into town and destroyed everything we had built along with most of the city. With holes in the ceiling, no power, no water, no heat we entered the winter without a clue of where the shop's future lay. Greg would spend hours in the rubble on a folding chair running the store off of a propane heater, a laptop, and pure unbreakable stubbornness.

ENTER THE CE WARRIORS

Turns out when you spend 20 years providing what CE did for our city... people remember that and get quite resourceful when their club house is in danger of forever closing its doors. Dozens and Dozens of hands showed up to lift the shop back to its former glory. CE would not only rebuild but explode in popularity as word got out in a city that needed some good news. Suddenly our tiny little dream was the hottest location in town with new walls, new EVERYTHING! They worked tirelessly alongside us day and night until the current incarnation of CE lit its sign up once more. Like a beacon in a storm the nerds, geeks, gamers, cosplayers and collectors found their safe harbor. 
Unfortunately a year later, a plague swept through the world closing the doors of so many of our fellow shops and threatening to close ours as well. Greg and Gina looked to the next generation of nerds to help them.

Who's that guy in the tabard with the boffer? Could it be... Dungeon Master Alex? The Legend? Back from the crusades?? 
 
Greg's oldest son was asked to come aboard and help the shop stay afloat. The tech savvy graduate who literally grew up in the store was suddenly in what he considered the second most important role of his life. Thankfully their trust was not misplaced and the shop not only survived the pandemic, it thrived! He brought them fully into the digital world, built partnerships and began a new era. DM Alex can now be found in store nearly every day and can be viewed nearly every week on the shop's livestream event. Whatever happens CE will always face it with that same stubbornness and determination that has kept it all these many years. 
 

We are Veteran owned and operated.
 

• Finalist for 2022 Best of Bay in 3 Separate Categories!

We feature all the hottest new comic titles as well as a great selection of Gold and Silver Age Keys plus thousands of back issues for only 99 cents each.

New reader friendly. Kid friendly. Long-time reader who's very particular about what they get-friendly.
Our pull and hold service allows you to guarantee yourself a copy of your favorite titles not to mention every purchase earns rewards toward a future purchase!
 

Our mission is to provide a diverse selection of merchandise, competitive prices, & knowledgeable customer service in an inclusive clubhouse setting while promoting learning, literacy, & kindness.

Gatekeeping is only allowed by Zuul in 55 Central Park West.

• New, Key, & Back Issue Comics
• Trade Paperbacks, Hardcovers, & Graphic Novels
• New & Vintage Toys & Action Figures
• Statues & Busts
• Magic the Gathering, Dungeons & Dragons, Gaming Supplies, and More!

We believe in having fun, and treating everyone with kindness and patience. As an independent shop we have the luxury of choosing what we carry but are also excluded from perks of a larger business, so we must find the balance therein.

Still have questions? Give us a call at (850) 769-2690. You can also join us on Facebook. Instagram, Discord. Better yet, come on in and meet your friends at Comic Emporium:

Where you're never too old to Play!