May the fourth be with you! On May 4th, 2021, the local comic book store; “The Book Nook”, celebrated Star Wars Day with an annual free comic book giveaway. This year's event was particularly special as the giveaway coincided with May the 4th for the first time in five years.
The Thompson Book Nook has been giving away free comics on the first Saturday of May every year for all ages to enjoy.
The owner and soul proprietor, Tony DiVirgilio, shared his thoughts about the changing market and the challenges of keeping the local business thriving through private business licensing. "The whole market has changed so much the last few years, like big distributors like Diamond has left," he said. "It makes it difficult, like with ordering, I have to order every week now. Before I would buy in bulk maybe once a month."
Despite the challenges, the Thompson Book Nook is still very loved and has lots of faithful Thompsonites. DiVirgilio mentioned that while there isn't much to do in Thompson, he is keeping the dream alive for those who love graphic novel entertainment, the stories, characters, or even drawing and art behind it. Events like this give the youth something to aspire to and dream about in Thompson.
DiVirgilio, who bought the Book Nook in 1990 on Beaver Crescent, is the third owner. He grew up buying comics and has developed a strong relationship with the community. He runs the store off the relationship and friendship with his customers, helping people collect what they love.
The free comic book giveaway event was another success, with people swarming in to excitedly collect their desired comic out of the variety of options. From DC to Marvel to Star Wars, there were comics for everyone's style and interest. The event was a great way to celebrate Star Wars Day and the love of comics.
The Thompson Book Nook has been a staple of the community for decades and is a great example of a small business that continues to thrive despite challenges. DiVirgilio's dedication to the store and his customers is evident, and events like the free comic book giveaway show that the Book Nook is more than just a store - it's a hub for the community to come together and share their love of comics.
The importance of small businesses like the Thompson Book Nook cannot be overstated. They provide unique products and services that cannot be found in big-box stores, and they help to create a sense of community and belonging. As the world continues to change, it's important to remember the value of local businesses and to support them whenever possible.
The Thompson Book Nook's free comic book giveaway was a great success, bringing together people of all ages to celebrate Star Wars Day and the love of comics. The event was a reminder of the importance of small businesses and their impact on the community. May the force be with the Thompson Book Nook and all the small businesses out there that make our communities special.
~Matthias J. Johnson is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter who works out of the Thompson Citizen. The Local Journalism Initiative is funded by the Government of Canada.
