I have been a regular customer for about 18 years. I mostly frequent the costumes, wigs, makeup, accessories, and Eclectica (the "adult items shop" in the back). I find the variety of things they have interesting. They have a "little of a lot of things," and to call them a "comic book shop" is a bit of a misnomer at this point in the history of the store. Their store sign now says "Safari Pearl" with "Comics, Games, Costumes" beneath.
Safari Pearl started as a small comic book shop over 20 years ago, and Eclectica was likewise as small, and they remain a business owned and run locally. (The owners are there almost all the time.) They are one of the few small businesses in the region that has stood the test of time - and there are reasons for their longevity.
First, they change and update their inventory with the times. Second, they offer a personalized feel and service and have actual knowledge of and experience with the products they sell. Finally, yes, they watch their inventory like a hawk - especially the areas that are "high theft areas" - namely costumes and wigs. Once they get to know you, they are less likely to monitor you as closely. Their reality is that the perpetrators are almost invariably between the ages of 15 and 23, and they aren't a store that can afford to absorb the shrikage (theft) like a big-box store or the fly-by-night Halloween stores. The monitoring is upped around Halloween season - their biggest time of costume sales and also the biggest time of theft. Rather than being upset with the employees, I am irked at the theives who necessitated the heightened surveillance.
They also do not put up with people spending time in the store just reading the comics or graphic novels for extended periods of time with seemingly no intent of purchasing them. They will ask you to leave. Just a heads up, as I have seen it happen and heard stories. But again - if you're doing that, you're not a customer - you're loitering and technically stealing (if you want to hang out and read books for free go get a library card). They are patient with true customers looking though the binders of game cards, or comic books for something they may want.
As for Eclectica, I really like the atmosphere. Small yet neatly-arranged, well-lit, and clean. Not a "seedy sex shop" type of place at all if that's what you picture. They typically have a specially-trained employee there, if not one of the owners themselves, who is friendly and knowledgeable, but has also been trained to "give you your space." Eclectica employees are also usually female. I see one review below where a male employee was there and was too close the whole time, and that is unfortunate. I can say that that is not typical and he likely didn't normally work in the back. (Not that that excuses or trivializes the experience. I am just saying it so that others who see this review can know that they are unlikely to have that experience today.)
Overall I have enjoyable experiences there and will continue to be a regular customer. read more