Just realized my local shop's 'no back issue browsing' policy is killing the vibe

Last Saturday at Comics Plus in Springfield, they roped off the back issue bins for 'inventory' and told us to use their online list instead. It completely killed the fun of digging through old boxes and finding random gems with other fans. Do you think shops should keep the physical browsing experience alive, even if it's less efficient?

3 comments

3 Comments

rileyprice3d ago

My bank's new app killed the deposit slip ritual.

simonk983d ago

Remember when you had to get a physical stamp on your library card? I was at my local branch last week and they've got these self-checkout kiosks now. The librarian just sits there, it's so quiet. I used to love that little thunk sound of the date stamp, it felt like you actually borrowed something.

anthonynelson3d ago

That "digging through old boxes" part is the whole social glue of a shop. You lose the chance to hand a random issue to someone and say "check this out." The online list is just a catalog, it kills those little moments that make a place feel like a community.