Main Street's Newest Store to Celebrate Grand Opening Friday Night

One of Fairfax City's newest businesses is bound to be a hive of activity this weekend.

Comics & Gaming of Fairfax is gearing up to celebrate its official grand opening Friday evening, complete with a ribbon cutting.

But, the fun doesn't stop there, because Saturday is national Free Comic Book Day, which is typically a comic book store's busiest day of the entire year, said co-owner Tom Chillemi.

"So, we thought it would be the perfect time to introduce everybody in town to the shop," Chillemi told Patch.

Though the new store at 10385 Main St. just opened in the past month, Chillemi is no stranger to the comic book and gaming business - his other store, Comics & Gaming of Gainesville, has been going strong for eight years now.

In fact, the Gainesville store has been doing so well, it was starting to attract customers all the way from the Fairfax area - so, Chillemi and his co-owner Chip Sullivan thought a second location was in order, calling the decision "community-driven."

Chillemi said, the location on Main Street in Old Town couldn't have worked out better, especially with its proximity to George Mason University.

"I had a good opportunity, so I thought it was the right place to put [the second store]," he said. "And, it's been very, very good."

Chillemi said the new Fairfax store is a bit different than his Gainesville store in that it is more focused on gaming, specializing in card games, miniatures and board games, as well as showcasing his older vintage comic collection, and pop culture comics and trades.

Chillemi said the store is fast becoming a popular place for gamers to come and hang out and play, and several groups and clubs have been forming, filling the store's weekly calendar nearly to capacity.

Grand Opening Friday, Free Comic Book Day on Saturday

All are invited to a small party at the store Friday night for the grand opening. Mayor Scott Silverthorne and other city officials will be on hand to cut the ribbon around 7 p.m.

The store will be open its usual hours of 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday, and Chillemi says he has roughly 11,000 free comics to give away for the annual tradition of national Free Comic Book Day.

Have you checked out Comics & Gaming yet? What do you think of it? Tell us in the comments.

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