Comic shop closes after 22 years (From Richmond and Twickenham Times)

Richmond comic shop closes after 22 years

9:00am Wednesday 19th August 2009 in News By Ian Mason

Farewell: Comic shop They Walk Among Us is closing after more than two decades

Nothing unites geeks more than saying goodbye to a much-loved superhero - and Richmond’s nerds are preparing to come together to pay farewell to two long-serving characters.

After 22 years selling comics, cards and collectibles to wide-eyed youngsters and adults alike, owners of They Walk Among Us, Jon and Sabina Browne, will be closing the doors to their cult shop for the last time at the end of September.

But fans of the Red Lion Street comic book store need not fret, because just as Clark Kent becomes Superman in the blink of an eye, on October 1 They Walk will transform into Ace Comics.

And the change will not be the last chapter in Jon and Sabina’s adventures. True superheroes never disappear forever and the pair have promised to continue walking among us - online.

Sabina said: “We are keeping the name and keeping the website.

“I love this place and I’m really sad to go, I love the community that we’ve built up here.

“It’s been such a major part of my life and I’ve loved every minute.

“I have no regrets at all and I have no fear for the future.”

Sabina also guaranteed that resident cult experts Richard Jenkins and Guy Culmer would still be serving behind the counter, which has featured in TV shows Spaced and Red Dwarf, when the new owner moves in.

The owner of They Walk Among Us - the oldest surviving youth business company founded under a Prince's Trust scheme - said the closure was a sign of the times.

“As a one shop operation we could not afford to carry on - we had no real choice,” Sabina explained.

“It was a massively hard decision.”

Despite her sadness, Sabina said the future was bright. She is helping the Richmond Business and Retail Association plan a “Has Richmond Got Talent” competition next year and plans to offer business training and small business consultancy and will continue to arrange games tournaments for fans of card game, Magic: the Gathering.

Before the pair go they are having a goodbye bash at the Old Ship, in King Street, on September 19, from 7.30pm.

Keep track of Jon and Sabina’s ongoing adventure at twau.co.uk.