The Origin of Comic Shop Amazing
Thomas Sr. (Captain Collector)Last updated: 21 August 2020 approx. 3 min read
In the summer of 2020, our comic shop celebrated its 16th anniversary. We opened our door for the first time in July 2004, but that was by no means the beginning of Amazing. As early as the early Eighties I was toying with the idea of opening a comic shop, back then combined with video cassettes and everything related to science fiction.
The beginnings
Of course, everything turned out quite differently. Sometimes plans come to nothing because life gets in the way. But more than a decade later, in May 1997, my wife and I founded a comic shop in Zurich together with a third business partner, so I had my long-planned comic shop after all. Or did I?
After some good and some difficult years, our paths parted, and in the summer of 2004 my wife and I opened Amazing, which still exists today. Back then we had a clear concept and wanted to offer goods that couldn't be found anywhere else far and wide. Our choice fell on American comics from the Silver and Bronze Age (1960s and 1970s), pulps (American dime novels from the first half of the 20th century), toys, action figures and toy soldiers.
Admittedly, a colourful and, at first glance, perhaps strange mix. But there was a reason for all of it. For one thing, there was no such range in Zurich yet, and for another, I knew these fields pretty well and could hold my own. As an old hand and comic collector, I could really put my knowledge and experience to use here.
The routine
Within a few years we had established ourselves well and made a name for ourselves in the scene, even if it is rather modest. Comics are, sadly, somewhat on the sidelines in Switzerland; there we lag badly behind our neighbours Germany, France and Italy.
We had secured the internet domain very early on, but since amazing.ch was already taken, today we are called amazingtoys.ch, which is actually ideal. The addition «toys» points to the playful side of our business. After all, we don't just sell paper, but three-dimensional things too, such as action figures, model cars and other small toys.
The online presence
After several tentative attempts to get an online shop off the ground, we finally achieved what you see today at the address amazingtoys.ch. We owe that to our son: Thomas the Sparkojote! About two years ago he had the brilliant idea of merging his various sales platforms with ours and getting a joint online shop off the ground. And here too the addition «toys» plays an important role, because Thomas mainly sells trading card products, which can safely be described as «toys».
Behind the scenes there is a strict separation: every sale is accounted for separately, depending on the product sold. Separate tills, separate accounts, separate taxes. That means a lot of work for my wife, who handles all the bookkeeping professionally, but it's worth it. Since the new online shop went live, our reach has grown considerably.
Ideally, at some point in the near future we will merge, and then all three of us will be employees of our own company. For now, though, it's still the case that every time a comic is sold, the till rings for me, and when trading cards are sold, Thomas the Sparkojote profits.
Did you know that for five years I also worked part-time at another comic shop in Zurich?
Thomas Sr. (Captain Collector)Captain Collector's Comic CVToday
You'll still find the AMAZINGTOYS® Store at Zweierstrasse 123 in Zurich. Opening hours and directions are on the AMAZINGTOYS® Store page.
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