Local Comics Store Spotlight: Vault of Midnight
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Vault of Midnight (Part Two)
Yribar describes the goal of Vault of Midnight: "to present comic books to as many human beings as possible as awesome, accessible, important works of art and entertainment." It's something that has been with the shop since it opened its first location in 1996, but that has grown along with the store as it opened new locations and hired new staff. With each new addition, the store's leaders have been forced to consider what this mission means both to themselves and their communities.
The staff recognize the important role an arts-focused store can play in any community. It is a location that attracts a diverse array of customers seeking somewhere they can be themselves. Yribar says, "we want everyone who walks in our door to feel like they belong there." That is a goal they've accomplished by providing a wide array of opportunities for diehard fans and new customers alike. Vault of Midnight regularly sponsors events, including "game nights, creator signings, fundraisers for charity, speed dating events, movie presentations, special sales, and appreciation events for subscribers." When combined it offers a well-populated, well-curated social calendar for any self-identified geeks, nerds, or fans in the Michigan area.
An awareness of that community has led to the selection of each new Vault of Midnight location; they are always centrally located in a downtown area. These stores become a hub of culture and community by putting themselves at the hubs of the cities they occupy. That's not the only concern though, they're also curated to welcome anyone who might enter. Pictures of any of the three locations show stores that are well organized, clean, and staffed with smiling faces. They offer newcomers just as much of a warm reception as those already steeped in geek culture to discover comics.
Yribar says that this has paid off as they've seen their customer base grow significantly over the past decade. With the Image Comics boom and the advancement of other exciting new titles like Lumberjanes, Vault of Midnight has discovered many new readers. "We have stuff we can, with excitement, recommend to literally anyone from any walk of life" says Yribar. He also notes that this wasn't always the case in comics. There was a time when the vast majority of offerings were for a very narrow audience. What Vault of Midnight's staff learned from that time was how to offer a safe space for everyone, so that as comics expanded, they could as well.
Vault of Midnight has experienced two major phases of the comics industry: the shrinking of the late 1990s and the growth of the current era. The lessons of the former period have informed the latter. By learning to survive based on the quality of their storefront and passion for their stock, the staff at Vault of Midnight understood the importance of believing in your work. Now that comics have begun to grow again, they're capable of taking those lessons and bringing in a whole new generation of readers. The mission hasn't changed, but the opportunities have exploded. Yribar says the plan is simple: "To keep acting as ambassadors for the medium we love."
Click ahead to see full details and photos of Vault of Midnight.
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Store Info
Name: Vault of Midnight
Address: 219 South Main Street
Ann Arbor, MI 48103
Phone: (734) 998-1413
Website: Vault of Midnight
Twitter: @VaultOfMidnight
Facebook: Vault of Midnight
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