October Country Comics — Local services in Town of New Paltz

As someone who values community feedback, I feel compelled to share my family’s experience in front of October Country, shortly after celebrating my son’s graduation at the pizzeria next door. On June 14th, 2024, my 5-year-old son was excitedly pointing at and looking inside (avoiding a glare with his hands), of the recognizable superhero displays in/on the store window. He kept asking me to go inside and I planned to take him after speaking with my wife and in-laws (it'd have been his 3rd time inside). However, this joy was short-lived when the owner came out and proceeded to scold him, mistaking his enthusiasm for misbehavior (banging on the windows). I can even respect the annoyance of fingerprints on the glass but as a business owner myself, I'd also expect this to happen often on a window display of any store using such things to promote the business. The reaction of the owner would still be deemed inappropriate, to say the least. Feeling the need to address this misunderstanding, I approached the owner inside his store, after my wife escorted our upset son back to our car. Instead of a conversation, I was met with immediate unsolicited criticism of my parenting and the lack of supervision provided by four adults, all within 5 feet of the accused action. This was not only inappropriate and unprofessional but also deeply offensive. Still in shock, it led me to express myself by calling him an innapropriate name. An associate then intervened while walking towards me in an aggressive manner, defending the owner’s actions and stating that the reprimand was directed at me, not my son. This was confusing, as the associate wasn’t present when the incident occurred, and it seemed to miss the point entirely—the impact of the owner’s approach and tone on a young child’s experience. I then left, knowing that these owners didn't have an interest in conversation nor feedback. I believe that a comic book store should be a haven for children and adults alike, a place where enthusiasm for heroes is celebrated and shared, not chastised. It’s disheartening when the very figures that teach us about justice and compassion are overshadowed by such an unwelcoming encounter by this store owner. I simply can't imagine how loud my child’s actions were on the inside of the store to cause such an uncalled for encounter, when they were by no means making loud sounds on the exterior. There weren't even any customers in the store throughout this whole experience. Had there been, maybe you would have acted more appropriately. I hope this account prompts a reflection on customer service and the impact it has on families. A more empathetic approach would have made all the difference. The owner could have even attempted a sales angle by politely opening the door and stating “hey there little guy! We prefer for people to not touch our windows, so please stop? Why don't you and your parents come inside to take a look around to see if there is something you'd like to buy instead?! Had something like this happened, the owner probably would have easily sold a few books and perhaps more. After all, my son had just graduated, having a logical reason to reward him. It's doubtful that I'll return to this store again, as long as it remains under the same ownership anyway. I'm all about providing second chances but this owner and his associate burned their second chance when I went inside to speak with him and they behaved the way they did. On a final note, my wife, a New Paltz Central School District teacher and I, a fellow New Paltz business owner, will be sure to share such a negative experience with others. It's such a shame to see that the new ownership, seems to have turned sour. People may want to reconsider bringing their little ones here. I'm not confident they are...

FANTASTIC comic book store!! The friendly and knowledgeable staff is always available to help you find the comic you are looking for, either in their wide selection of back issues dating back many decades, or their meticulously updated new comics section. They also carry many indie comic titles that are harder to find in other stores in the area. I am a long time subscriber to their pull list for new comics and all of my reserved comics are waiting for me as soon as I am able to pick them up. I highly recommend their well designed email newsletter as well, which has a list of all new comics available that week. Check out this store and ask for Devin while you're there, it's...

The best comic shop in the Hudson Valley. A wide selection. Helpful staff. Great Customer service. I have been going there for the entirety of its existence. I remember when the store was a little shop in Downtown New Paltz. When the owner Bruce, moved uptown, he made it an amazing store with a collection that could only be compared to big comic book stores in NYC. It remains a premiere comic book shop in the Hudson Valley. If the owners see this, though he has retired, if you have any contact with Bruce, the original owner,...