Legendary comic book store to close iconic Queen St location
Posted April 8, 2011 4:07 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
After nearly 30-years at its trademark location at 367 Queen St. W., the iconic Silver Snail comic book store is packing up its distinctive colourful store front and moving elsewhere.
The world-famous shop has held three different locations along Queen Street West since 1976, when owner Ron Van Leeuwen turned his passion for comics into a business.
The famous doors of the Silver Snail have seen the likes of Bob Dylan, Harrison Ford and Gene Simmons pass through, but they will be closing up in early 2012.
Comic book lovers should not panic, the store will not be closing for good.
Manager George Zotti, who has worked at the store since he was 17, will be buying the location from retiring owner Van Leeuwen.
“It hurts a little, absolutely, we’ve been in this building for 29 years. We’ve certainly been part of the Toronto landscape, specifically the Queen West landscape, but Queen West has changed so it’s kind of a different place to be – it’s more fashion and less counter-culture,” Zotti said.
The vibrant comic book nirvana will remain on Queen Street until at least February, at which point it will move to a new location. Zotti told 680News the newer location will be bigger and better, and possibly even include a cafe.
However, Zotti added, the location of the new store has yet to be chosen.
For some of the comic book fans who have been coming to the store since they were young, the move cannot help but stir-up some nostalgia.
“I just remember coming here a lot with my friends when we were like 15 and going to Queen Street, when you’re young and you’re not going to go to the bars, what are you going to do? You’re going to go to the clothing shops and comic book shops,” said Silver Snail fan Stephanie.
Besides all the loyal local fans, the Silver Snail has also attracted some big-name customers in its long and stories history.
“Robin Williams has shopped here, we opened the story early for Harrison Ford, I helped Mark Hamill spend his last $200 in Canada before he had to go back home,” Zotti said. “I sold Looney Tunes comic books and American Splendor comic books to Bob Dylan when I was like 17.”
The Annex and Yonge Street have been mentioned as two possible future locations for the new comic shop.
