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What was the long-lasting impact of comic stores closing down for the COVID pandemic in 2020? Retailers taking during the virtual event Comics PRO Online Open House suggested that it’s the way that it changed the relationship between themselves and their customers — and what customers want from a comic store, as well.

“I feel like people love a good hand sell,” Hello Comics’ David Murray said during the panel Navigating Change: Retailers. “I feel like maybe it's just a reaction to all of us leaning so hard on Amazon and everything while we were, like, locked up. You know, people like, I feel like, or maybe I'm just better at hand selling. Now, I don't know, but I feel like people are more receptive to, like that human touch. And like you know that we always go for a Cheers vibe at our shop, everybody knows your name. And I feel like that carries even more weight these days, because so many things are becoming less personal.”

“I love the Cheers analogy, that is spot on,” agreed Candice Craig of Blackbird Comics & Coffeehouse. “We had a book club this past week, and one of the members of the book club mentioned that she had been, for so long, used to self isolating — well after the pandemic — and that she didn't realize that that was actually detrimental, and that just attending book club is one way of getting out and getting that personal interaction that, whether we know it or not, we all need. I think that's such a strong point that you've made; it really is about that interaction, that personal interaction — not transactional, but genuinely personal.”

Comics PRO Online Open House runs through September 13.

Get into the vibrant world of comics with our guide to buying digital comics, how to make the most out of comic shops, our comprehensive guide to the upcoming comics, manga, and graphic novels you should be looking for, and everything you need to know about Free Comic Book Day and Local Comic Shop Day.