Christian stores and comic book shops cater to two different markets, but can something be learned from the success of one Seattle-area comic book retail business? In this article, (http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/retailreport/2008713047_retailreport06.html), The Seattle Times profiles the business Comic Stop's expansion to three stores and highlights the spirit of “community” in the store.

From the article:

"A customer will come in and ask, 'Who do you think would win a fight between Superman and Thor?' And I'm like, 'Hey, yeah, I'll have that conversation with you!' " Demonakos said.

"You don't go into a clothing store and say, 'Now talk to me about Giorgio Armani,' " Byers said, building on Demonakos' point. "We have some people who want to talk about comics all day. Our sense of family is much greater."

Although the two businesses are different, are there still Christian retail customers looking to have a conversation with bookstore staff about inspirational products?

Having grown up as a customer of both, I can say the stores I gravitated toward were the ones that were characterized by a spirit of family, where the atmosphere was much different than an average general market bookstore. I loved to go in and ask the “comic book guy” what he thought of the new X-Men or the Christian bookstore worker when the new Petra was releasing and has he heard if it will be as good as This Means War!? Store workers who not only tolerated but encouraged my observations helped me feel at home.