Today we’d like to introduce you to Mike Lynch.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Mike. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
The store was founded by three people, Art Balthazar, Franco Aureliani and Marc Hammond. Art and Franco are professional comic artists and wanted to own a comic shop and enlisted their friend Marc, who has years of experience running stores. I started shopping at the store around its second year of existence. I eventually was around the guys long enough and we became friends, which led to me working at the store part time while I was in school. Last April, the opportunity to manage the shop came up and I took it. I’m from the northwest side of Chicago, Norwood Park. I went to DePaul University.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
There are always difficulties when being involved in a small business. I don’t know if there is ever such a thing as a smooth road. The economic climate is always changing and we have to adapt to stay alive. But when things do go well it makes all the struggles, hardships and stress worth it.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about AW YEAH Comics – what should we know?
We are a comic book store. We carry comics, graphic novels, toys and other collectibles. In the downtown Skokie area, we are also known as the people that painted the fire hydrants in the design of different superheroes. We strive to offer a welcoming environment that fosters a sense of community from the events we put on to have a colorful, clean and inviting store. What sets us apart from many shops is that we produce a line of our comic books that star our store mascot, Action Cat. We have 12 issues and the stories take place in downtown Skokie with some landmarks showing up as well. We are most proud of becoming a staple in the downtown Skokie community.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
Marc, Art, and Franco. Without them, I wouldn’t have the opportunity to help grow the store and make it successful. Marc has been tremendously helpful in teaching me the day to day operations and what goes into making a small business work. Art and Franco are always there to help and offer support or bounce ideas off of. I look at it as all four of us running the store to try and make it the best comic book store we can.
Contact Info:
- Address: 7925 Lincoln Ave
Skokie, IL 60077 - Website: Www.awyeahcomics.com
- Phone: 847-423-2916
- Email: info@awyeahcomics.com
- Facebook: Facebook.com/awyeahcomics
- Twitter: @awyeahcomics
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