This is the story of my experiences at Collectors Edge, the last names have been excluded from those involved except for Jef Parker.  He gave me permission to use his name and image the day the first picture on the left was taken.  We all miss you Jef!

<Early Years>

I have been collecting comic books and related materials since I was 10 years old.  The stores I went to at first were nothing spectacular, just places that had comics for sale.  Then around 1989 a new comic shop opened 2 blocks away from my house.  That store turned out to be the third store in the Collectors Edge Comic chain.  And the timing couldn't have been better, I was starting to cool from comics, due to the fact that it was a hassle to get a ride to the stores further from my house.  But now there was a place right up the street that I could walk to anytime I wanted.  The man behind the counter, Chris H, was friendly and seemed to value my business even though I was only 12 at the time.  So for the next few years my comic collection increased at a rate of about 2 - 3 books per week.  Then things got weird.  The shop moved 2 miles away and it started becoming hard to make it there regularly.  I also started high school and my time for comics decreased.  During the first two years of high school I made it to the store one every 2 or 3 months.  During this time Chris H. also left to pursue a "grown-up" career, our paths have crossed a few times over the years.  A few people worked the store on and off during this time.

Then another milestone event happened, I turned 16 and got my drivers license.  Also during this time I met a group of people at school who were into comics, and suddenly it didn't seem like such a childish thing.  With the freedom that only a car can bring I made the 5 minute trip to Collectors Edge one night and there was a new face behind the counter.  Henry S. had been given control of the store by the powers that be.  (At this time I only knew Jef Parker as the face on the business cards.)  So now I made my weekly trip to the shop, and with the monetary power of a part-time job behind me, my comic collection grew.  During this time I was put on a package for my books (#668:  Neighbor of the Beast) and I met Steve, Lester, Shane, Dan and Al.  The Friday group also started around this time, watching videos and talking about sci-fi for hours on end.

What happened next was weird.  Henry had a "falling out" of sorts with the owner and left Collectors Edge to start his own toy shop a mile away.  And so once again my comic book pusher changed, this time the man behind the counter was Chris C.  

<The Golden Age>

So after being introduced to Chris, by Jef Parker himself, things returned to normal.  Chris was easy to get along with, and had a vast knowledge of comics.  I kept coming in on Friday's to get my books, talking to the regular crowd, but then other things started to filter their way into shop.  Friday nights started to include tapes being brought in, containing TV shows, cool or rare movies, and now and then a music video.  Then the viewing started to spill out of business hours and into the after hours.  It was not unheard of to see a group of geeks watching something until Midnight, and all within the safety of the shop.  

Soon after that more things filtered their way in, this time in the form of games.  It was not uncommon to see a Playstation, a Saturn, a N64, or a Dreamcast gracing the counter of the shop.  Along with the systems came the games, and the game of choice?  WRESTLING  Turns out that almost every person that was hanging out on Fridays liked wrestling, and a WWF or WCW game could bring hours of entertainment to the masses.  During these days George, Amy, Mike, Kristy and the brothers began hanging out.  It was not uncommon for everyone to meet at the store for dinner, a few game of wrestling, and then go shopping after hours.  

Another source of common interest during this time was toys.  Many great toy lines were released during this time, and a Friday night tradition was started to try and get everyone of them.  Trips to Toy R Us, Wal-Mart, Kmart, KB, Target, and any other place we could think of.

This was the best time at the shop, hanging out, meeting some of my best friends, and just having fun.  Unfortunately the saying rang true, and all good things did come an end.  Chris left Collectors Edge, and an era came to an end.

<Aftermath>

With Chris gone, Jef brought in a new manager named Jose.  He knew his comics, and was a good guy.  But the same magic that started the Friday group could not be duplicated.  I still hung out at the store a lot, but the Friday group started meeting somewhere else.  I won't get into that much here, that is another story.

Then the unthinkable happened, Collectors Edge was sold.  Jef Parker was sick, he was fighting a battle with cancer, and it was not looking good.  So Jef made the decision and sold the store to an employee by the name of Steve.  This was the end of the Jef Parker era at the Edge.

Soon after the sale Steve started making changes to the stores, unfortunately this meant Jose being moved from the North store and a new manager was being brought in. Shane had been working for the edge and was the new manager at North. That day I ended my package at Collectors Edge. There had been a misunderstanding between Shane and I, because of some things people had told me he said I held a stupid grudge against him, and now the store. I went in a few more times to pick up most of the things I had ordered.   Then the day came that no one wanted, Jef Parker passed away.  At the time I thought my time at the Edge was done.

<New Beginning>

In March of 2002, I went back into the Edge with my friend Steve. I had missed the place and the comic books more than I thought I would. I spoke to the new owner and to make a long story short I started my package again. I have been going in every other week to get my books, Shane is behind the counter selling me the comic crack. It is good to be back there, just the store being there keeps Jef Parker's spirit alive.

<Update 05/23/2003>

Well I am still going to the Edge, Shane is no longer employed there.  Kurt is behind the counter, don't know him that well yet, but seems like a nice guy.  I have not been able to speak with Shane since he left the edge, so any details about his leaving would be hear-say.  I will wait until I have a chance to talk with him before I put anything up here.  It's not that I don't believe the people who have given me some details, but would rather have the whole story before I jump to conclusions.

<Update 10/29/2003>

Just a quick update, I have cancelled my package at the Edge again.  This time it was due to fear of losing my job after our biggest customer left us with little warning.  I have been going in and picking up books on a limited basis until such time as I know I won't be unemployed.  Things are looking up at work, but will probably be tight until the start of 2004.  I also have confirmed that Kurt is a good guy.

<Update 09/02/2004>

Another update, I did start my package again after the job situation stabilized again.  I try to get to the shop every week.  I even have gotten some speciality items.  Oh yeah, Kurt is getting married!  Congrats to him.  George has has even been making appearances again.  Life is good.

<Still Not The End>