Starstuff Comics

Walking into Starstuff is like stepping into organized chaos curated with love.

The Walls: The shop's walls are painted a distinctive deep blue - reminiscent of twilight or deep space, fitting the "starstuff" theme. Nearly every inch of wall space is covered:

• Framed comic art and posters ranging from Golden Age classics to modern indie works
• Pop culture artwork - portraits of icons, fan art, convention prints
• Local artist showcases rotate monthly
• The "Local Heroes" memorial wall near the back - photos, newspaper clippings, and memorial cards honoring community member.

The Space: The shop is long and relatively narrow, maximizing every foot:

• String lights crisscross the black ceiling, creating a warm, inviting glow that complements the overhead lighting
• Ceiling fans keep air moving (crucial in NYC summers with insufficient AC)
• Exposed brick on one wall, painted walls on others
• Dark hardwood floors slightly scuffed from years of foot traffic

Comics Section:

• Wall-mounted shelving on the left side holds new releases and current runs, organized by publisher
• Wooden comic bins dominate the center of the shop - meticulously organized by title, character, and era (her dad's system, which Cora hasn't changed)
• Back issue wall with alphabetized long boxes
• Manga section with dedicated shelving, organized by series and publisher
• Graphic novels on wooden shelves, categorized by genre and age-appropriateness
• Kids' section near the front with lower shelves and brighter displays

Collectibles & Merchandise:

• Display shelves hold action figures, Funko Pops, statues, and other collectibles
• T-shirt racks near the register featuring both licensed merchandise and indie artist designs
• Gaming supplies - dice, card sleeves, playmats
• Small selection of tabletop RPG books and accessories

The Counter: The checkout counter is positioned about two-thirds back, elevated slightly with bar-style seating for customers who want to hang out:

• Hexagonal/geometric tiling on the counter front in warm yellow/gold tones
• Bar stools where regulars perch to chat with whoever's working
• Register and POS system (slightly outdated but functional)
• Display case built into the counter with rare/expensive items, signed copies, and special editions
• Behind the counter: shelving with patron pull boxes, organized alphabetically
• Staff recommendation shelf - constantly rotating picks with handwritten note cards explaining why

The Back - Coffee Bar & Gathering Space:

The rear section opens up into a small social area:

The Coffee & Microbrew Station:

• Bar-style counter with more of that hexagonal tiling, this time backlit with blue LED strips
• Coffee setup: Decent espresso machine (not fancy but serviceable), drip coffee, tea selection
• Microbrew taps: 3-4 rotating local craft beers on tap, small selection of canned/bottled beer in a mini-fridge
• Menu board on the wall with prices (coffee is cheap, beer is reasonably priced)
• Shelving behind the bar displays mugs, glasses, and some coffee/beer-related merchandise

Seating & Event Space:

• Tables and chairs - mismatched but intentional, thrift-store aesthetic
• Bar seating along one wall with tall stools
• Small stage/presentation area (really just a cleared corner) for events
• Projection screen that can drop down for movie nights, artist presentations, game streams
• Gaming tables where people play Magic: The Gathering, D&D, board games
• Bookshelves along the walls hold community library books, art books, RPG manuals

Signage & Atmosphere:

• "READ COMICS FIGHT INEQUALITY" sign prominently displayed (very Cora)
• Event posters cover available wall space: upcoming signings, game nights, movie screenings, community meetings
• Various nerdy/activist decor: protest art, fandom posters, local artist prints
• A vintage popcorn cart (non-functional, purely decorative) that adds character
• Community bulletin board covered in local event flyers, job postings, roommate searches, art show announcements

Starstuff Comics feels like someone's passion project made physical - because it is. Every corner has personality:

Sensory Details:

• Smell: Coffee, old paper, a hint of beer, occasionally incense from the back room
• Sound: Usually music playing (indie, alternative, soundtracks), customer conversations, the hum of the coffee machine, the occasional buzz of the beer taps
• Lighting: Warm and inviting from the string lights, professional spotlighting on featured items, the blue LED glow from the bar area
• Temperature: Slightly too warm in summer, slightly too cold in winter (old building, questionable climate control)

Community Hub Vibe: This isn't a sterile retail space - it's a gathering place. On any given evening:

• Someone's at a table working on laptop while drinking coffee
• A D&D group is arguing about rules in the back
• A couple of teenagers are flipping through manga at the counter
• Regulars are debating comics with Jamie behind the register
• Someone's nursing a beer and sketching
• A parent and kid are browsing the children's section
• Maybe a small book club or activist planning meeting is happening

Events & Programming: The shop hosts regular events (advertised on social media and in-store):

• Wednesday New Comic Day celebrations - pulls released, coffee specials
• Friday Night Magic and other card game tournaments
• Weekend game sessions - RPGs, board games, open play
• Monthly artist signings - local and visiting creators
• Quarterly movie nights - cult classics, comic adaptations, documentaries
• "Neighborhood Heroes" discussions - Cora presents local history, community storytelling
• Activist organizing meetings - the shop is known as a safe space for this