Scott Stewart launched Hops & Heroes Comics, an inclusive community space for comic fans and gaming nerds, inside the Austin Toy Museum, 1108 E. Cesar Chavez St., Austin, TX, in December 2016.
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| From left, Mark Walker (director of operations), Scott Stewart (executive director), Emiliano Guajardo (community and conventions director), and Brandon Philbrick (chief executive officer), run Hops & Heroes Comics, the only comic shop in East Austin. Photo by Joseph M. de Leon |
Once considered kids play, comics and graphic novels have matured into a billion dollar industry. In 2015, comic fans spent an estimated $1.03 billion on comics in North America, according to comic market analyst Comichron.
Stewart started the comic shop in a corner of a St. David's hospital gift shop with 7 titles on two shelves. A year later, more than 160 titles covered 150 sq. ft. Along the way, he hired Brandon Philbrick, Mark Walker, and, most recently, Emiliano Guajardo. While their current spot inside Austin Toy Museum is smaller than the space in the gift shop, it aligns better with the community they are building.
Being a person of Mexican descent who grew up in East Austin, that means a lot to Guajardo.
"The comic community can connect with anyone, but to be Latino or African American, Asian American, LGBT, etc., means we can connect with different cultures and create a new subculture to have a different family and community that connects over great stories," he said. "And it means a lot to our subscribers to be able to connect over these great stories about people from all walks of life."
Rather than using a traditional for-profit model, Hops & Heroes chose a unique structure inspired by their common difficulty paying for college. The comic shop is a nonprofit organization.
"We know the struggle of paying for school," Guajardo said. "Why not create a comic book store that, while creating community, can also give money back to the community?"
Hops & Heroes' Comics for College Scholarship Program aims to provide help to needy college students. The first recipient is expected to be announced later this year. To apply, see details below.
The comic shop is more than a place to buy the latest titles. As the name implies, guests can expect a lounge atmosphere that includes snacks and complimentary local craft beer and wine at events. It's also a community center of sorts, with game nights, cartoon marathons, and cultural celebrations.
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The Incredible Hulk offers advice to visitors in the bathroom
of Hops & Heroes Comics. Photo by Joseph M. de Leon
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Connecting with fans is helping Hops & Heroes increase its reach.
"We're building and expanding our community through our subscribers, and one of our customers runs the Bring Your Own Vinyl Night at The Mohawk," Guajardo said. The regular event is a combination listening party and vinyl swap. The comic shop recently hosted its trademark Super Power Happy Hour -- a comic book social dedicated to comic book lovers, gamer geeks, and cinephiles -- at The Mohawk, 912 Red River St, Austin, TX. "We've been grateful to have his loyalty and vice versa. We've created a great rapport through friendship and community."
The Hops & Heroes crew plan to eventually expand the shop into a neighboring building. The more than 1,000 sq.-ft. space would include a proper bar with coffee and local craft beers on tap, room for multiple games to happen at the same time, a place for live music or DJs, and a back patio where food would be served and movies shown.
"Some people may take a step back because of the hops part of our name, but this is a family-oriented place," Guajardo said. "We're just a comic book store, but we happen to host after-hours events that offer drinks respectfully and responsibly."
Many parents bring their children to browse the Hops & Heroes shelves, collect great stories, and let their imaginations run wild, just like the founders did in their youth.
Comics for College
Donate to our Comics for College Scholarship Program. This fund provides educational scholarships to financially disadvantaged students attending a two-, or four-year college or university. Scholarships are awarded for the fall and spring semesters. To apply please call (512) 220-9582.
Hops & Heroes Comics
Comic Book Store · Beer Bar
1108 E. Cesar Chavez St.
Austin, Texas
(512) 220-9582
www.hopsandheroes.org/
facebook.com/comicsaustin/
Open 11a.m.-7p.m. Mon.-Fri.; 9a.m.-7p.m. Sat.-Sun.
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