New comic/crafts store, Main Street Comics and Games, opens in Marshall

Johnny Casey, Asheville Citizen Times
·4 min read
"This is the first comic book shop that I know of in the area. I just got into (comics). It was a perfect time for them to open," said Brandon, pictured at left next to owners Avia Perez and Kyle Clark.
"This is the first comic book shop that I know of in the area. I just got into (comics). It was a perfect time for them to open," said Brandon, pictured at left next to owners Avia Perez and Kyle Clark.

MARSHALL - Hobby and board game enthusiasts in the county now have a local spot to shop for their favorite editions, as a new comic book store held its grand opening Nov. 17.

Main Street Comics and Games, located in downtown Marshall, officially opened during the final Third Thursdays in Marshall, according to store owners Kyle Clark and Avia Perez.

Clark, 33, and Perez, 30, are now living in Marshall — above the store. The couple met and lived in New York City, as Perez is from the Washington Heights neighborhood of Upper Manhattan.

Though the Marshall store only recently opened at 82-D S. Main St., Clark said he feels there is an appetite for the games and comic culture in Madison County.

"There are so many parents and kids and people who are just interested in the hobby," Clark said. "I also think COVID kind of prompted (that interaction), because people still played board games, but they had to do it through Zoom. So there was kind of this desperation for in-person activity."

Main Street Games and Comics also has an eating/social space for customers to hang out.
Main Street Games and Comics also has an eating/social space for customers to hang out.

The owners said the social aspect of his store is an important one, as the couple have held numerous events, such as "Junior Dungeons and Dragons" for teens, as well as a Magic The Gathering pizza party, both held in November.

"We offer some snacks here, so that when people come in and game they can get a pop or a snack," he said. "We're trying to be respectful and have small gatherings. We had a miniature painting class, too. It's cool to see these young kids who are in need of hanging out with other kids have a place to do that."

According to Perez, though, ensuring that the store is working alongside other local businesses so as to promote activity throughout the town is important to them.

"We wanted to do stuff on different days that other places were doing so there is more stuff going on, instead of having to choose between coming here and going there," Perez said. "Adding more stuff for families with kids that are under the age of 10, and teenagers, and having more places for them to go to is nice."

Prior to opening Main Street Games and Comics, owner Kyle Clark managed Mysterious Time Machine for five years in New York City.
Prior to opening Main Street Games and Comics, owner Kyle Clark managed Mysterious Time Machine for five years in New York City.

Clark said the community has been very welcoming of the couple bringing the store to Marshall.

"Everyone's been super embracing of us, and that's awesome," he said. "The way I look at it, is I want to be friends with everyone near me, because those are my customers."

According to Perez, local businesses have been extremely supportive and welcoming too.

"All of the local businesses and the (Madison County) Library have been really great about talking us up, too, which is really nice," she said. "They've really welcomed us into the community. That's absolutely the best that you could hope for, coming in. Everyone has been very kind, and I didn't expect anything different. We see a lot of the same people here, so we're building relationships with people in the community."

Clark said he was surprised that the comics have not been the most popular item in the store.

"I came in here thinking the comic aspect was going to be the bread and butter, and it's not. It's actually primary been children's book and games," said Main Street Comics and Games' owner Kyle Clark.
"I came in here thinking the comic aspect was going to be the bread and butter, and it's not. It's actually primary been children's book and games," said Main Street Comics and Games' owner Kyle Clark.

"I came in here thinking the comic aspect was going to be the bread and butter, and it's not," he said. "It's actually primarily been children's book and games. So the things that we thought were going to be secondary are actually what's been (most popular). It's been interesting."

Perez also works for Macmillan Publishers, a company that publishes a broad range of books for children and adults in all categories and formats.

She said the pair have been visiting Madison County for 15 years.

Clark's parents, Andy and Val Clark are also county residents, as well as his sister, Sara Clark, who manages Highland Station.

While in New York, Clark managed comic book store Mysterious Time Machine for roughly five years, which is how he fell into the business and developed an affinity for comics.

Helping to turn new people on to comics is one of the most exciting parts of the deal, Clark said.

Main Street Comics and Games, located at 82-D S. Main Street in downtown Marshall, held its grand opening Nov. 17 as part of Third Thursdays in Marshall.
Main Street Comics and Games, located at 82-D S. Main Street in downtown Marshall, held its grand opening Nov. 17 as part of Third Thursdays in Marshall.

"We're just looking to turn people on to cool stuff," Clark said. "That's the cool thing: (turning someone on to) something that you find really endearing and memorable and poignant.

"I'm constantly asking people, 'Give me feedback - what would you like to see? Is this working? Is that working?' We're trying to create an experience here where everyone feels comfortable and welcome and happy," Clark said.

This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Main Street Comics and Games, in downtown Marshall, opened Nov. 17