Grapevine Comics

In my youth I was a closet dork.  Yes, I'll admit it.  I would check out graphic novels from my local library (am I the only one who misses that library smell?), scurry to my room, and thoroughly devour the novels from cover to cover.  When I moved from Fresno to Stockton (I was roughly 13-14 at the time) I discovered the world of comics.

My first experience wasn't too bad.  I grabbed the phone book and promptly looked up "Comic Books" and there were quite a few listed.  The first one I went to - Al's Comics - was located on Miracle Mile in Stockton.  It was small, more so long than wide, felt like a cave inside, and had a creepy looking guy at the front counter.  Happily, after digging through a few dusty boxes, I scored a few older Elfquest comics to add to my collection. 

But it just didn't have that "I will come here everyday" feel to it.  Obviously.

On top of that my mom wasn't too thrilled about driving to Miracle Mile all the time too, so she asked me to find something closer.  Now, this was actually a SKILL to find places close by; in the time before internet, before mapquest, before handheld GPS - I had to use a good old fashioned real city MAP.  Indeed!  So I looked up all the comic books stores within a 5 mile radius using my city map and found a place less than 3 miles away.

Grapevine Comics.  ::insert heavenly music sound here::

The first time I stepped into Grapevine Comics I felt goose bumps.  The owner, Ruth, besides being a complete sweetheart, was tickled pink that I, another female, enjoyed reading comic books.  They had Elfquest comics, X-men, a cornucopia of titles.  I remember seeing a lot of candy, arcade games, and even the room felt spacious and airy with big windows letting in a lot of sunlight.  Even better, I could ride my bike from my house to Grapevine in under 15 minutes flat.  I probably went at least 4 times a week.

Within a year (I had to be at least 15) Ruth asked if I wanted to work part-time.  I remember feeling so elated that I was asked. Not my friends, she asked ME!  That was my first real job.  I think I spent the majority of my paychecks on comics and candy, but at least it fed my comic book habit and I didn't spent all my allowance on it instead.

Eventually i had to quit my job, because I wanted to concentrate on school, but I still went into Grapevine all the time.  It wasn't until I moved after high school that I stopped going.  I never developed another partnership with a different comic book store like I did with Grapevine.  It just never felt right.

I remember hearing various things from friends who remained in Stockton and still visited Grapevine.  Ruth ended up going back into nursing and sold the shop.  The next owner turned the place into more of a cave (dark, covered the windows, got rid of most comics) which practically mirrored Al's comics.  It changed; typically as most things do over the years.

In my mind, Grapevine will always remain that bright spot in my childhood.  The only difference NOW is I am no longer a closet dork.  I am very proud to be a huge dork!  I still go to comic book stores now and then.  

Maybe one day when I retire I'll open my own shop.  That is, if people are still using books to read in the future.  Hmmm...