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Little Shop of Heroes, a comic shop located in Dunfermline, Scotland, was a finalist for the Eisner Spirit of Retail award in 2023. In an interview, Alby, the owner of the shop, discusses how it all started. After losing his job when the company he worked for closed down, Alby and his friends opened a small kiosk to sell their collectibles, games, books, and comics. Eventually, they stumbled upon a vacant shop in Dunfermline and decided to take a chance on it. They opened the shop with no money but managed to survive and thrive over the past 12 years.
The first year was a learning experience for Alby and his wife, Louise. They wanted to create a friendly and welcoming environment for customers to feel at home. Despite starting with very little resources, they were able to attract customers by offering a variety of products that were previously unavailable in the town. The shop became a community hub where people could come in, have a coffee, and chat about comics and life.
Dunfermline has a vibrant and loyal community of comic and pop culture enthusiasts. Little Shop of Heroes organized the first Dunfermline Comic Con, which focused solely on comic books and featured writers, artists, letterers, and colorists. The event was a huge success, with thousands of people turning out to celebrate the art of comic books.
Despite its small size, only 300 square feet, Alby has considered expanding the shop. He envisions a larger space with a cafe, which would provide more opportunities for group meetings and events. However, they are attached to their current location and believe their identity is tied to the shop’s name, “Little Shop of Heroes.”
The shop’s nomination for the Eisner Spirit of Retail award came as a surprise to Alby and his team. They were humbled and grateful for the recognition, as they had no idea who nominated them. Being a small shop from Scotland, they never expected to be among the top 5 finalists. The nomination was a testament to the support and appreciation they have received from their customers and the wider comic book community.
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