It's Andy Fish!

I thought I’d spotlight a few local comic shops I recommend– I’m very picky about stores because I spent so many years in retail upper management.

THAT’S ENTERTAINMENT – 244 PARK AVE – WORCESTER MA

Website: THATSE.com

That’s Entertainment is a juggernaut, it’s a legend in the area maintaining a 15,000 square foot (20,000?) store on Park Avenue in the Woo. It’s been around since 1980– and I was there when they first opened a tiny little store at 151 Chandler Street– I was excited when they moved into the giant space on Park Ave– but I have to say the old tiny store was better.

I’m extremely biased in regards to this store- I have so much history there where I would visit 2-3x in a week, it says something that despite it only being about 4 miles from me I only go about once a year now.

The store itself is brightly lit and well stocked for new titles. It’s got a large back issue section which doesn’t seem to get restocked very often. There is a display case where really valuable comics are so poorly displayed in stacks in a case you have to ask for someone behind the counter to come and open it while you flip through these treasures which should get better display treatment.

And that sums up my problems with the store– there is SO much space but its SO poorly used– there are massive displays of sports memorabilia which never seem to get much interest but as mentioned stacks of comics from the 1940s and 1950s are unceremoniously stacked in piles into this display case– there could be a book I’m desperately looking for but I wouldn’t know it’s there– in fact I bought a Detective Comics #45 from them for $7k not too long ago that I only discovered because one of my sons took the time to flip through the stack and then called me.

These really old books, which are comics history, should be prominently displayed– and in a store of 15/20,000 feet of walls there isn’t a better solution?

It’s listed as family friendly, but I’ve stopped referring friends with kids to go there, because on at least five occasions that I can think of those friends objected to the content displayed and the clear attitudes of some of the staff many of whom are of the artistic variety and come across as snobbish to someone who is there with their kids.

Still if you’re going to go ask for Chad, Sorana or Pete– all great people in a store that should be the best there is– and it once was, but sadly the inmates have taken over the asylum and there is clearly a civil war between what the store should be.

PARKING: There is a narrow line of parking on the side of the building which can be difficult to access and equally difficult to leave. There is also street (metered) parking.

HOURS- 11-7 7 days a week (I like consistent hours)

PROS – A huge store with a large selection of comics, collectibles, pop figures, sports stuff, hollywood stuff, a LOT of gaming, a LOT of vinyl records, backpacks, Manga and used video games.

CONS – Layout is a little difficult, fellow customers can sometimes be the type you want to keep your eye on. A lot of stuff on the floor if you don’t mind digging. Parking can be a challenge. Politics of the staff is full on display. Checkout area with its Covid glass feels very much like you’re checking out at a pawn shop.

I wish I could be more positive but I know what this store once was and could still be.

OVERALL RATING: B-