Today we’d like to introduce you to Ryan Liebowitz.
Hi Ryan, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Golden Apple, known worldwide as the “Comic Shop to the Stars” was founded in 1979 by comic retail pioneer and former Eisner Spirit of Comics recipient (1994) Bill Liebowitz. In 2004 Bill suddenly passed away and his Son, Ryan Liebowitz, former WonderCon Coordinator and Manager (1999 & 2000) stepped up to run the family business with his Wife Kendra and Mom Sharon. Ryan had worked on and off at all their retail locations most of his life and has now been managing the operations for the last twenty years. Over the past two decades, many challenges and changes have occurred, affecting the way we do business under new leadership and overcoming a diverse economy and a pandemic. Golden Apple is thriving now in our 46th year in business after having moved their flagship location, sold a shop, built an e-commerce business, publishing and production company, virtual reality convention, a non-profit organization and more.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Golden Apple, like many businesses in Los Angeles have been affected by an ever changing economy as well as global pandemic and local interruption of business due to social and political movements. We downsized our main location due to rising rents and expenses to stay afloat. In addition, we were forced to close our business for 3 months and deemed “non-essential” during the covid outbreak and struggled to keep the business running. Comic books are a weekly business with 75-100+ new titles that are released each Wednesday. During those times, production and printing of books ceased and our industry was halted completely. We developed and implemented new and safe ways to reach our customers via social media, care packages, live game shows, car hop service, etc. During the Black Lives Matter movement in LA, our business as well as many surrounding shops on Melrose Avenue were damaged and boarded up for a period of time just after reopening from the pandemic. We stood in solidarity by having local artists paint black superheroes on the boards that covered our windows and door. Today, those images are prominently displayed inside our shop.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Golden Apple specializes in the retail sale of comic books, graphic novels, collectibles & more. We are the place in LA for over 45 years where you can meet the creators of your favorite stories and even some celebrities. We offer a full line of weekly titles as well as a vast selection of books and vintage comics and all of the supplies to keep them for generations.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
A few of my favorite books are comics (of course). Visual storytelling has always been my preferred reading. I respond to the art and it helps with the escapism of reading a book. Books like Arkham Asylum, Saga, Old Man Logan, Preacher, etc. are some of the titles that stand out to me.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://goldenapplecomics.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gapplecomics/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/goldenapplecomics/
- Twitter: https://x.com/GAppleComics/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/GoldenAppleComics
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/golden-apple-comics-los-angeles
Image Credits
Photographer; Ryan Liebowitz
