NORTHAMPTON – Entertainment and pop culture enthusiasts now have a new place to buy their comics, video games, toys and more, as Holeymoleys Comics & Collectibles recently opened at 90 King St.
Customers entering the storefront of Holeymoleys will be greeted by a life-size statue of Iron Man, who, along with another statue depicting Pinhead from the 1987 horror film “Hellraiser,” looks out over the sales area.
“We love to talk about comics with people, but that’s okay if you’re new to comics and just want to ask questions or find something for a family member who is interested in it.” , said Corinne Barrineau, co-owner of Holeymoleys with her. husband, Tonye Barrineau. “We’re really open to anyone shopping here, whether you’re a fan of comics or this is your first time.”
The original Holeymoleys opened in Shelburne in October 2018, the Barrineaus said, but after a while, business started to level off after the growth. Comic book stores have become scarce in the area, and as Northampton is more populous than Shelburne, the couple closed their Shelburne store and moved their business to the city. Holeymoleys started doing curbside pickup sales in May, then opened to subscribers in July, finally starting to announce the store will open to the public on July 29.
The comics are clearly the store’s anchor point, as boxes sorted by superheroes and series sit on a table in the center of the retail space. Colorful illustrations of new versions of comics are displayed on shelves throughout the store, as are many graphic novels.
Movies and some toys are featured on a store wall, but near the back are additional collectibles – including old “Star Wars” figures packed in their original boxes – puzzles, games video, collectible cards and more. Also on the back is “Holey Mobot,” a light-up robot statue that Tonye Barrineau says stood in a former toy store in eastern Massachusetts in the 1960s or 1970s.
“It’s the beauty of coming here,” said Corinne Barrineau. “It’s just like a cool place to hang out.”
This location is about three times the size of Holeymoleys’ previous store in Shelburne, the couple said. A back area is currently closed to the retail space, but the idea is that it will eventually serve as a space for Magic: The Gathering tournaments, model building and more.
Corinne said she and Tonye signed their current lease on March 1 and planned to open on March 25, before the COVID-19 pandemic put the brakes on those plans. She said she was concerned about the full effects COVID-19 will have on the economy, and whether that will translate to fewer customers at Holeymoleys – but she believes the store has a good formula that can be adjusted as you go. as external factors change.
“We’re pretty creative,” she said.
Holeymoleys has been pretty busy so far, the Barrineaus have said, which Tonye attributes in part to people wanting to get out of the house and just watch in a comic book store.
“They’re looking for that nostalgia, but during COVID,” Tonye said.
Customers can subscribe to their favorite comic book titles and pick them up as they come out, according to the Barrineau. Those who subscribe to one or up to nine current titles get a 10% discount, those who subscribe to 10 to 19 current titles get a 15% discount and those who have 20 or more benefit from a 20% discount. Holeymoleys will order items that it does not have in store; the Barrineaus also operate an eBay online store.
Nate Chenevert, 29, of Chicopee, shopped at Holeymoleys on Saturday morning, who bought a graphic novel featuring the group “GWAR” and a 1000 piece puzzle. He said he used to travel to Shelburne from Chicopee to visit the original Holeymoleys, and that he’s happy to be able to bring his comics closer to home.
“The store is definitely in a better location,” Chenevert said.
Holeymoleys Comics & Collectibles is open Wednesday to Saturday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Michael Connors can be reached at mconnors@gazettenet.com.
