Yaletown’s Elfsar Comics & Toys to shut its doors on May 23

Sad news, Vancouver comic book fans. As of May 23, there will be one less comic emporium in the city as independent retailer Elfsar Comics & Toys (1007 Hamilton St.) closes its doors.

Owner Ethan Peacock spoke to the Straight about the imminent closure of his business, which has operated out of its Yaletown location since May 2003.

“At the time [we moved in], Yaletown was in the midst of changing,” Peacock said. “There weren’t a lot of businesses around us”¦.What’s happened is, as time goes on, small boutique stores cannot compete with larger chains that are constantly moving in.”

According to Collier International’s 2010 first quarter retail report for Vancouver, Yaletown rents average $30–60 a square foot.

Those prices are simply too high for small business owners, Peacock said, adding, “The rent is simply just drowning everyone.”

Peacock said that moving his business simply isn’t an option. “Relocating is technically starting over,” he explained. “You do have your customer base and some of them will go with you but it is a tremendous amount of work.”

Peacock also noted that he is battling with declining sales related to the changing face of the comic book industry.

“With things like the iPad and iPhone applications”¦coming into effect, there are ripple effects in the industry,” he said. “The iPad has probably had the biggest impact [on the industry] and it hasn’t even hit Canada yet.”

Elfsar will continue to operate its Web site but it will focus on Vancouver talent. Peacock said that he envisions the site becoming “almost like an art dealer in dealing with original comic book work.”

Before it closes its physical store, Elfsar is throwing one last party for its patrons on Free Comic Book Day (May 1), an international fundraiser now in its ninth year.

“Free Comic Book Day for us is our convention,” said Peacock. “That’s our community builder, that’s our big celebration, bigger than Christmas, each and every year.”

Every visitor to the store on Saturday will receive five free comics, and with a food or cash donation to the Vancouver Food Bank, patrons can take home as many as 10.

The day will also include photo opportunities with costumed superheroes and well as comic book writers, artists, and publishers, who will all be on site and available to sign books.

Elfsar joins a growing list of Vancouver booksellers that have closed in recent months. The 53-year-old Duthie Books announced its closure in January 2010, and Sophia Books will be shutting its doors at the end of May.

Comments

6 Comments

Jot Kali

Apr 27, 2010 at 11:52pm

I'll admit I'm a tech head, but all these stores closing really hits home. I don't go to these stores because they carry a lot of inventory, I go because they are tastemakers. I always find new graphics novels or books I wouldn't of seen anywhere else. If I could take an iPad or whatever to the store, 'flip through' what they find interesting, then buy the digital version from the store so they could get their affiliate cut it would be best of both worlds. I don't know if this type of store is feasible but I'd love it if one of these guys tried the model.

John Lucas

Apr 28, 2010 at 9:56am

Worst. News. Ever.

Jeffery K Simpson

Apr 28, 2010 at 11:36am

I wrote about Elfsar in my article on digital comic books a few weeks ago, and it's been my comic book store for years. Ethan didn't let on during the interview that this was coming, though it had to be in the works even then.

I agree with Jot, though I'd even go as far as saying that I'd buy my paper comics from a store and then would like it if the publishers some how included a free download of the digital version so I don't have to store the paper one but can recycle it.

Now that Elfsar is going I either have to find a new LCS or wait until buying digital comics is a more reasonable proposition.

Chris Slater

Apr 29, 2010 at 12:13pm

For those looking for a new comic shop to get their fix, I recommend R/X Comics on Main Street, between 8th and Broadway on the East side of the street. It's not as big a shop as Elfsar is square footage-wise but they're friendly and they don't charge you to have a pull list there.

P. Chun

Apr 29, 2010 at 6:44pm

Something similar just happened to Metropolis Comics in Metrotown, but they opened immediately across the street in an even bigger space. I'm sure they would have liked to stay in the mall, but big business doesn't really care, do they?

I think the new spot is even better and they also offer a saver system for free if there are Elsar refugees looking for something in Burnaby.

Jean-Luc Picard

May 8, 2010 at 11:46pm

The whole digital age bs is a waste of time whatever happened to good old days where you would go out and get a good book or a comic and read it now everyone talks about digital books and digital content. I think this is all ruiningour lives now days you see ppl meeting ppl online and then dating what happened to going up to a girl and starting a conversasion. I love technology but its driving us to insanity technology is good to assist with work and entertainment but to a certain point. I think the problem with comic book shops in vancouver and lower mainland is that they are not uniting and fighting the big guys buy briniging commic cons and other cool event to the city. They all care about competing with each other so its no wonder they are all closing one by one first it was Triple Play now its Elfsar whats next. I have been going to Comic Scene for 15 yrs and I can say that I hope they stick around for long long time very good people and good prices.