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Bearded Comics & Collectibles

Updated: Oct 22


Entering the new store at the southeast corner of Main and Washington Streets felt refreshing with newly painted walls and a unique charm to the old downtown building. Michael Ritter, owner of the new Bearded Comics and Collectibles shop, is a native of Montgomery County and a Wabash College alumni.


Bearded Comics & Collectibles

After 15 years living in Seattle, Michael moved back to Crawfordsville with his wife, Samantha. With help from the building owners, Mike & Gail Nordenbrock, and the support of his friends and family, Bearded Comics and Collectibles opened on June 22, 2024. Michael has brought new life into this space after a fire caused significant damage to the building previously. The store has a creative design with a fun and welcoming atmosphere.


Michael shared that his inspiration for Bearded Comics and Collectibles stems from his love for comics, which began at the age of 6. He was greatly influenced by his grandfather's love for antiques. His grandfather and his mother would take Michael antiquing and show him all about the “thrill of the hunt.” Michael then found that comics were what he found the most joy in hunting.


Michael had continued to build his library of collectible comics over time, but was also building a dream of having a storefront to share his love of comics. He continued his passion here in Indiana by vending at Indianapolis Comic Con and other events regionally. Now, Michael can spread his love for comics with our community, attracting like-minded individuals to his store.


There is a heart to this business venture that Michael wanted to share, and that is being able to deliver that hard to find item that someone will love more than he does. It is a work that requires a specialist in collectibles and Michael certainly has a gift for finding the items that the community will want and appreciate. Starting a business requires courage. Michael has ventured into a very niche market, different from the typical storefront. He began this endeavor years before formalizing it as a business. Michael previously worked as a CEO assistant and built a foundation for understanding and operating a business. He was able to learn what works and what does not work in a business setting. Those are two primary concepts to understanding how to have success.


His advice to aspiring small business owners is to build momentum before opening a store. Michael spent time collecting and attending events to immerse himself in the culture, making connections and building relationships. “Take your time.” says Michael. He emphasizes the importance of taking the time to understand the business before diving in. Michael also pointed out that a common challenge for startups is taking on too much and trying to be multifaceted too quickly. New businesses do not have to do everything all at once or overwhelm themselves. Grow your dreams as you grow your business.


Bearded Comics & Collectibles ribbon cutting
Bearded Comics' June 21st 2024 Ribbon Cutting with the Crawfordsville/Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce (photo credit: Chamber of Commerce)

Stores like Michael's may face challenges in managing overhead costs and inventory due to the niche or specialty of their offerings, however, Michael has found an innovative solution. Bearded Comics and Collectibles provides subscription boxes for its dedicated collector clientele. This enables him to order sought-after items with the security that some are already spoken for. The custom box primarily includes books and collectibles, with subscribers guaranteed a minimum of two books, custom ordered, and a 10% discount on subscription items. If you are curious about the subscription options, visit Michael, who will be happy to provide you with all the information you need.


The future looks promising for Bearded Comics and Collectibles. His vision is to become a go-to destination for unique collectible gifts. Michael hopes to build the business as he learns the needs of his customers. He is dedicated to changing people's perception of "nerdism," as he refers to it, and to shed a positive light on the comic culture in our community.


Michael also intends to collaborate with local schools to establish a reading platform for children. The objective is to encourage kids to engage with books and step away from their phones. He is optimistic about introducing comics into schools in the near future. Keep an eye on future plans coming to fruition as his business grows.


Main Street has found a new treasure in Bearded Comics and Collectibles. Make sure to drop by and meet Michael. He has so much knowledge to share and enjoys those conversations with comic and collectible loving people. Browse through shelves stocked with a variety of items, dive into numerous comics, and discuss classic Marvel movies. Immerse yourself in authentic Marvel tales and DC storylines through the comic books source material. You can explore popular characters like Batman, Spiderman, and Deadpool, or you can find an abundance of other titles like Star Trek, Anime, Ninja Turtles, and so much more! Check out their Facebook page for highlights on current inventory or stop by the shop.


Bearded Comics & Collectibles  logo

Bearded Comics and Collectibles is at 101 E. Main St.

Hours: Tuesday - Thursday 12pm to 7pm and Friday and Saturday 10am to 7pm.

Closed Sunday and Monday

Owner: Michael Ritter

Phone: (206) 302- 8851

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