From the press release:

October 24, 2010, Chicago, IL – Four of Chicago’s most well-respected comic book stores are teaming up for a month-long Comic Shop Crawl event. Chicago Comics, Challengers Comics + Conversation, First Aid Comics and Third Coast Comics have created a 4-store tour that encourages their customers to visit each participating store in order to fill up a Comic Shop Passport with destination stamps from each of the shops. Once filled, the completed Passports are turned in and 4 winners will be drawn to win their share of over $1000.00 in comic store merchandise and prizes. The drawing will take place at comic-themed party held on Saturday December 4th in Bucktown at the American Legion Hall. No purchase is necessary to participate in the crawl, but each store is offering a discount to Passport holders if they choose to shop on their visit. The December party is open to all comic fans 21+, not just those participating in the crawl.

“This is something I’ve wanted to do for years,” says Challengers co-owner Patrick Brower, “But I just didn’t know how to pull it off. Getting together with these guys made it all fall into place.” First Aid owner James Nurss agrees, “Working together has been a real pleasure and I look forward to growing this event each year, with so many great stores in Chicago!”

“As far as any of us can recall, this is the first time something like this has been done in the Chicago comic book community,” says owner of Third Coast Comics, Terry Gant, “I mean, how many other events have you seen where you’re actively encouraged to go a store’s competitors by one of the stores? This is both experimental & needed for our community and it’s the sort of event we love planning.” Chicago Comics general manager Eric Thornton sees more than just the social aspects, “Chicago Comics is very excited to be involved in this event. Your local comic shop is as vital to many people and neighborhoods as your local bar, barber, bakery, or bodega. Each of these stores represents small business and a brick and mortar entrepreneurial spirit that is hard to find in our corporatized landscape today. Supporting your local comic shop keeps a precious art-form alive and vibrant and your neighborhood unique and fun.”

What: COMIC SHOP CRAWL of CHICAGO

Why: Celebrate the diversity of Chicago’s comic book stores

Where: Challengers Comics + Conversation, 1845 N. Western Ave. 2R
Chicago, IL 60647
773.278.0155 / www.challengerscomics.com
Chicago Comics, 3244 N. Clark St. Chicago, IL 60657
773.528.1983 / www.ChicagoComics.com
Third Coast Comics, 6234 N. Broadway Chicago, IL 60660
847.863.7450 /www.ThirdCoastComics.com
First Aid Comics, 1459 E. 53rd St. (2nd Floor/Ring Buzzer) Chicago, IL 60615
773.75.COMIC / www.FirstAidComics.com

When: The entire month of November, 2010

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