The start of the new year marked the end of the Mile High Comics shop at 760 South Colorado Boulevard. The original location of the venture that Chuck Rozanski founded in his parents' basement in 1969 wasn't far away, by the legendary Celebrity Sports Center. It moved to this office building when Celebrity closed over two decades ago. And with rents increasing, Rozanski decided to close up shop at this spot, too.
“It is with a heavy heart that I must pass on to you the news that we are closing our Glendale location permanently on December 31st,” Rozanski had announced. “Our decision was based upon many factors, including rising operating costs, intolerable parking shortages, and the lack of air-conditioning.”
But comics lovers have other options, including the Mile High Comics megastore at 4600 Jason Street. But it doesn't come with the same memories, both good and bad.
Recalls Jason:
This is the shop where I bought the first issues of the Batman "Hush" storyline and started collecting again in 2003, after an eight-year break.
Adds Daniel:
Been going to this shop since the mid-late ’90s; back then, it was half the size and really nothing more than a glorified closet packed to the gills with comics, statues, and figures...good times.
Sad to see it go, as I have some cool memories of the place, but I'm honestly surprised it lasted as long as it did with how expensive the area has become.
Responds Joe:
Went in there once and it was a mess. Dirty products, dust everywhere and stuff in piles. Not surprised.
Explains Dwight:
With the mega so large, having satellite stores doesn't make sense. Chuck makes so much money, closing one store isn't going to hurt them.
That's no consolation for Ashley, who says:
All the fave places are closing down.
Concludes Jennifer:
Denver is changing, not for the better.
Keep reading for more on Mile High Comics.
"The Ten Most Nerdastic Stores in Denver"
"MIle High Comics Clears a Million by Selling Warehouse to Pot Business"
"Mile High Comics' Glendale Location Closing After 28 Years"
Aaron Tucker, the longtime manager of the Glendale store, is also retiring. Rozanski describes him as “the heart and soul of this wonderful operation for nearly twenty years.”
"As regards the future," Rozanski continues, "we would ask you to please shift your patronage to either our Jason St. location, or our Lakewood store. This month has been the all-time best sales month in the 8-year history of Jason St., with our reputation as being THE fun place to spend a day with your kids grows with families throughout the Denver area. As of last evening, our sales at Jason St. were at an awesome 132.2%! of last December, so it only makes sense for us to stop paying outrageous rent in Glendale. I will actually miss having a store on the east side of town, but I definitely will not miss writing those rent checks..."
And since the 65,000-square-foot warehouse on Jason is packed with high-end collectibles, boxes of $1 comics and a seemingly endless supply of antique toys, customers should be able to find what they looked for at the Glendale store...if not the memories.
What do you think of Mile High Comics? The changes in Denver? Post a comment or email editorial@westword.com.
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