Windsor’s oldest comic book shop celebrates 30 years

By: Kacie Cooper

Border City Comics is celebrating 30 years in business, making them the oldest comic book shop in Windsor.

Pat and Ken Girard along with their son Tim, have made the shop a go-to spot for those looking for classic comics and more. The business started out selling antiques. After coming across a large comic book collection for sale, the Girards changed names as well as their merchandise after purchasing the collection. From then on, Ken says, the business bloomed.

When the couple first switched from antiques there was only one other comic book store in the area and they have seen many come and go since then. Despite the constant growth of online shopping and paperless books, they say business remains stable.

“We get a lot of business from treating people right, and they come back and they bring people with them,” said Pat. “I figure if you treat them well, and treat them how you’d want your kids to be treated, it always comes back to you.”

Although they mainly rely on repeat business and word-of-mouth advertising, the store has regular sales as well as their annual Free Comic Book Day on the first Saturday in May.

With the resurgence of superhero movies, comic books have been making a huge comeback.

“Movies and comics go together,” said Ken. “A lot more women are coming in and a lot of kids are getting into it [comic books].”

The Girard family said they have met many interesting people since the business first opened and have come across even more interesting items. The couple sold an original copy of the Amazing Spider-man issue #1 for $25,000, ten years ago and The Walking Dead issue #1 is sold for around $1,000.

You can visit the Girard’s Border City Comics at 4449 Tecumseh Rd. E. in Windsor five days a week. They will be holding a 30^th Anniversary sale Oct. 14, between 12 p.m.-5 p.m.

Ken Girard said, “We’re not going anywhere, so we’re looking forward to 31, 40, 50 years.”