The owners of a Wilmington-based comic book store are expanding into retail space along Front Street.
Richard Davis, co-owner of
Nerdvana Comix, said Tuesday his store is tripling its space by relocating into 1,500 square feet of retail space at 130 N. Front St., Suite B.
Davis said he and his wife, Amber, are targeting a March 15 opening for the store.
The space was formerly occupied by Glam, a women’s clothing boutique that closed in January and vacated the space during the first week of February, said Nancy Bullock, general manager of Wilmington-based Bullock Properties.
Bullock, who handled the February transaction, said Nerdvana was looking to expand its operations and suggested the business relocate from 505 square feet of retail space at the Cotton Exchange to the Front Street Centre.
Davis jumped at the chance.
“We’ve been in the Cotton Exchange for a year, and we’ve seen amazing growth,” Davis said. “But we needed more space to expand our merchandise selection and really grow.”
Nerdvana Comix offers a wide variety of comics and novelty toys, such as robots and action figurines, for all groups and ages, Davis said. He added he plans to expand his Magic: The Gathering offerings by adding more trading cards and a game room for the popular game. Davis said Nerdvana will also add a baseball card component to the business, allowing people to purchase and trade their favorite baseball players at the store.
Davis said the tenant mix surrounding Nerdvana Comix was also a major selling point to relocate and expand his business.
“With Chops Deli, Cape Fear Beer & Wine, Planet and Fat Tony’s on the same street, we feel we’re in a great location to grow our business and will add to the tapestry that’s been woven down here,” Davis said. “We love downtown Wilmington. Every downtown area should have a comic book shop.”
Meanwhile, Bullock said Nerdvana Comix’s relocation leaves the Cotton Exchange shy a tenant. She said with the tourism season around the corner, officials expect the space to lease quickly.
“It’s the only vacancy we have at the Cotton Exchange,” Bullock said of the space. “With the tourism season coming up and anticipated customer traffic increasing, we hope to have the space leased out soon.”