Bowling Green stores celebrate National Free Comic Book Day this weekend

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – For almost two decades now, Americans have celebrated National Free Comic Book Day religiously… that was, until last year when stores had to cancel the events due to the pandemic.

Two Bowling Green comic stores are already anticipating visitors now that the holiday is in full swing again.

The Archives has made its name in Bowling Green for over a decade. The mom-and-pop-shop is known around town for its toys and comics. 

They plan to celebrate the holiday this Saturday offering five different free comics to folks who swing by

The Archives owner Mike McKinney said in years past, his store has been packed wall to wall for the event.

“You couldn’t even walk in here. For eight hours solid you couldn’t even get around from people all day long,” said McKinney. “It’s almost like a Black Friday for comic shops. It gets everybody together. The excitement goes on, and we get the free cookbooks. Everybody gets together. A lot of cosplayers, gamers.”

But, when Mike McKinney and his wife closed their doors last year from March to June, financial worries led to constant family meetings addressing all the dreaded ‘what if’s’ so many small businesses had to deal with.

“It did hurt. I mean, it was a struggle to even pay the rent, keep the doors open,” said McKinney.

Along with the Archives, The Great Escape off of Scottsville Road also felt the impact of covid last year. 

The Great Escape store manager Chris Hargrow said that though the financial worries were difficult, nothing compared to losing his staff-turned-friends.

“To lose employees that were part of the family, that was the hardest thing,” Hargrow said. “We used to have events every other month or so, and we just haven’t been able to do that,” he continued regarding covid. 

But, also like The Archives, the Great Escape will take part in National Free Comic Book Day. Days when their shop is closed make Hargrow all the more excited for this weekend.

Regarding his customers, he said “They’re not just customers. They’re people that are your friends, that you talk with. They’ll talk about stuff in their lives and you get to know people that way. So, it was cool to kind of get that perspective to know that this is not just a store. This is a place or if you want to come hang out and meet up with other people and, make new friends.”

The Great Escape is expecting to give away about 25 to 30 new titles to give to the public.

Each customer can walk away with five comics Saturday, five comics Sunday and an extra comic on each of those well if the person comes dressed up to the store as a character. 

People can support these stores by visiting The Archives at 812 Broadway Ave, Bowling Green, KY 42101 and The Great Escape at 2945 Scottsville Road B17 and B18, Bowling Green, KY 42104.

The Great Escape will open an hour early on Saturday at 11:00 a.m., and their hours will resume to their normal schedule on Sunday.