As I began preparing for my next newsletter, I pondered which small business I should feature. Last time was easy because August was National Dog Month, so I was able to feature one of my favorite businesses that did stuff for dogs. However, this time, since September was about self-improvement and self-care, I wondered who or what I was going to feature. I really don’t too much self-care, which I’m going to improve on (see what I did there), so I didn’t really know of any small businesses I could feature around that topic.
Then, I started looking at the days celebrated throughout the month of September and noticed that September 25th was National Comic Book Day. That’s when it hit me, “Why not feature my two favorite comic book shops?”
And here we are!
To my fellow geeks and comic book peeps, check out Fat Moose Comics in Whippany, New Jersey, and/or East Side Mags in Montclair, New Jersey. You can learn more about them below.
Fat Moose Comics & Games
Known as “NJ’s best and oldest comic book store,” Fat Moose Comics & Games was the very first comic store I ever visited. One of its locations in my town was a shopping mall called Pine Plaza. I remember going in there a few times and looking for wrestling comics (WWF, now WWE, had comics featuring different wrestlers at the time) and just being awestruck by how huge the store was and by all the comics it had. At the time, though, I didn’t understand the gravity of these comics. I’m not saying I trashed the place or anything like that, but back then, I just didn’t care about all those other comics like Superman, Batman, and Spiderman. I just wanted my wrestling comics. Thank God I’ve grown. Haha!
Unfortunately, that location did close down, and they moved to, I believe, Cedar Knolls, New Jersey (the next town over) until it found its home right down the road from me. I’m not kidding, it literally takes me maybe five minutes to walk to it and it is glorious! I’ve gotten to know the current owner, Shawn, who is an awesome dude. He’ll help you find what you’re looking for in his store and if it’s not there, he’ll get it for you.
So, yes, I do agree with the above statement that it is one of the best comic book shops in Jersey. And it has been going strong for over 40 years now (it first opened in 1982), so, yes, it is also one of the oldest. It does have a wide range of products to choose from. Everything from comics to statues to action figures and so much more. They have old comics and of course new comics, and they hold events here and there to either celebrate a special occasion or give unknowns some time to get their name out there. Shawn and his team are truly amazing so definitely check them out.
Fat Moose is open Tuesday through Friday 11am-8pm, Saturday 11:00am-6pm, and Sunday 11:00am -5pm.
East Side Mags
East Side Mags I was recently introduced to thanks to my good friend, Sean, and they are another best in New Jersey. No, seriously, they have won Suburban Essex Readers’ Choice Awards Best of Essex in 2015, 2017, 2018, 2022, and 2023 for Best Toy & Hobby Shop and 2016 and 2018 for Best Specialty Shop. It is another gem here in Jersey.
As stated on their website, “…East Side Mags was founded on a love of comics and the determination to make a dream reality. That dream? A fun, colorful and entertaining environment where the community can grab the latest comics or classic ones, inspiring creativity, conversation, or nostalgia for all who enter.”
This store literally has everything under the sun. From old comics to new comics, to action figures and statues, to posters and magazines, and the list just goes on. East Side Mags is another place that loves holding events that brings the community together and/or gives unknowns a chance to get their name out to the world. Jeff and his team are incredible so check them out, as well.
East Side Mags is open Tuesday through Thursday and Saturday 10am – 7pm, Friday 10am-9pm, and Sunday 10am-6pm.
Please note I am not getting paid by these businesses to feature them on my site. I am just a fellow small business owner trying to support others.
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