What’s the only thing better than one really cool nerd store?

Exactly– two. Right next to each other.

I recently wrote a blurb about the upcoming grand opening party held at DreamWorld Comics by shop owner Jay Collins. When I spoke with Jay about the event at his shop, he talked about how various comic book artists were coming to sell their artwork and do signings.

What I didn’t know was that one of those artists set to be there was my acquaintance and extraordinarily well known G.I. Joe artist Jay Sullivan.

 

Commence excitement and enthusiastic rambling on my part. You know– it’s what I do. But in all seriousness, I love this man’s art.

 

What’s even more entertaining is that I’m already scheduled to chat with and interview Jay Sullivan at the upcoming SoCal Joe Show and Toy Convention, which is happening Sunday December 2nd in Temecula, Ca. If you’re in that area and looking for something fun to do, you should totally check it out. It’s run by some great people and there will be some super exciting guests.

It’s a small convention scene after all, right?

But yes, back to DreamWorld Comics. I love this store and took pictures of what I think is a great variety of inventory.

 

One of the best things about this store is that it opened up right next to an excellent used video game store called The Game Exchange. Both of these places are breathing new life into the Simi Valley Town Square.

Part store, part museum, The Game Exchange is an awesome place for people to bulk up their classic game collection, or simply look at some of the old consoles they have on display. They even host birthday parties there.

 

What used to be a really nice open-aired mall has become this graveyard of dying businesses and misused store fronts. It used to be a legitimate mall with recognizable stores and staples. Now it’s ten dance studios and fifteen closed restaurants. Somehow a MovieCo managed to open up there, which has to be the only thing keeping that area alive.

I’m really hopeful that we nerds continue to infiltrate and these two stores do amazing things at and to the Town Center. If DreamWorld and Game Exchange manage to do well, maybe their presence can influence other nerd culture business owners to open doors there too (assuming the rent is affordable, I don’t know anything about business). But wouldn’t that be amazing? Just an entire nerd mall. The best of the best of a convention vendor hall, but there all the time.

That would be so, so kick ass.

 

DreamWorld Comics

1555 Simi Town Center Way
Ste 155
Simi Valley, CA 93065

TEL: (805) 581-0409

 

The Game Exchange

1555 Simi Town Center Way
Ste 160
Simi Valley, CA 93065

TEL. (805) 581-1779

 

Loryn is a nerd who literally grew up in nerd stores. They are her happy place. If you ever want her to take pictures of your comic book or toy store and write a thing about them, shoot her an email. Or, you can be super cool and follow her on Twitter.

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