Grand Opening was a Grand Success!

For those that were able to make it, thank you! For those that couldn’t make it, it’s okay. We’re still open.

Saturday was a long, eventful, and satisfying day filled with friends and fun. When it was all over with, we went home and passed out early. I would like to start by thanking everyone who helped entertain. And yes, you delivered. Above and beyond. Thank you to Alex Martinez for signing books for us and yes, we found Jaye Wells. She is okay. There was a conflict that arose and we will have her in at a later date.

One of the benefits from this weekend was the chance to meet new people and make new business connections. With these new connections come opportunities for new games, events, a possible lecture series, and so much more. So join our mailing list to stay on top of the news.

Thank you to all of these folks!

A. Lee Martinez

Tom Branch

Josh Watson

Lady Amaraldi

Cole Houston and the Jedi Cole Universe

Eddie Medina

Dave Ferguson - The Great Debate

Rick Morang – Hamster Cage Studios

Daniel Calhoun – Captain AmeriDad

And last, but not least in any way, my staff; Thomas Chick and Chelsie Smith!

If you were able to attend and have photos or video, please forward it to us so we can share!

Bringing Magic to A Galaxy Called Dallas

As we bring in more and more product and we get ready for our grand opening, we also want to start building our community. That community includes folks who geek out on Star Trek, Star Wars, Doctor Who, Battlestar Galactica, or Red Dwarf and even fans of Magic, Pokemon, Yugi-oh, RPGs and board games. The best way to support these communities is to have nights where we play the games and talk about the franchises; you know, the things we’re passionate about.

Here at Galaxy Dallas, we aren’t just passionate about the above. We’re crazy about you, too! So, we are now putting together a calendar of gaming that will try to satisfy the major groups of gamers. We know you’re out there and we’d love to meet you and have you play with us.

With us being closed Sunday and Monday (Hey, we need a break, too!) it leaves fewer days to schedule, but I think what we have scheduled will work out. In addition to game nights, we will also be hosting a night open to discussions where we discuss anything and everything. This will be on Tuesday nights and the topics will change from week to week. One week we might discuss comics, the next we might have an artist in to give a how-to. It will be different. Wednesday nights will be role-playing nights. We picked this night for when we get set up for D&D Encounters, but we will also host other RPGs. Thursday will be Pokemon and Yugi-oh nights with Friday night going to Magic and the inevitable set up of Friday Night Magic through Wizards of the Coast. And last but not least, Saturday is a free-for-all with the tables open for anything all day long.

This schedule may change, but you will be given ample notice. We may have to cancel a night of gaming to make way for another event. Again, we’ll give you a heads up. We have five tables, four that can be reserved, but one will always be left open to casual play. The best way to stay in touch is to follow us on Facebook and make sure that you have us in your notifications. Also, you can join our email list. That is in the box to your right or you can find the tab on our Facebook page. If you need any help at all, don’t hesitate to write us at agalaxycalleddallas@gmail.com.

Comic Shop Opens Doors in Garland

Navy Veteran Follows Deceased Wife’s Wishes           

     Garland, Texas, August 29, 2014:  A Galaxy Called Dallas will celebrate its grand opening on September 13, 2014. The store is located in the North Star Crossing shopping center at 1238 Belt Line Rd. #365 with N. Garland Avenue being the nearest cross street. Entertainment will be in great supply as representatives from the geek community come out to show support. Authors Jaye Wells and A. Lee Martinez will be signing books and mingling, as well as, artist Thomas Branch, Eddie Medina, podcaster Cole Houston, and costumers Glitzy Geek Girl and the Taffeta Darling. Visitors will be able to participate in game demos, enjoy balloon artists and face painters, and meet their favorite super heroes. Prize drawings throughout the day will lead up to a costume contest with cash prizes going to the winners. Doors open at 10:30 AM and the ribbon cutting with city officials present will take place at approximately 11:00 AM.

Owner James Pickering, a Navy veteran, has two employees, Thomas Chick and ChelsieJo Smith, with his four year old daughter, Lillian, lending a big hand when she isn't in school. The shop was something that came with deep thought after James lost his wife Carroll to brain cancer in 2013. Her last words were for him to be happy, so he thought to follow his dream of owning his own shop. With the support of family and friends, he’s now living up to wish.

Busy First Week and Pull Lists

I’m happy to say that we’ve made it through our first week and we’ve actually had sales. It’s a nice feeling to come to work every day and not have it feel like it’s work. Heck, even my four year old daughter wants to come to the shop and help out everyday! I’d like to thank all of you who have made it in, but also to those that have made it possible. Friends, family, and strangers, but strangers no more. Welcome home!

Les Webster and I went to a little soiree’ last night. Thanks to Thomas Chick for manning the register while we were gone. The event was hosted by DC Entertainment and was billed as a Retail Roadshow. We heard from Bob Wayne (Bob Kane/Bruce Wayne ?), Senior VP of sales, and other higher ups on what was happening with DC the next few months and into 2015. Nice presentation, came away with a few ideas, and met some of my fellow retailers. Bob is actually a part of the comic retail history here in the DFW area and is moving back this direction in the next few years. Can’t wait to meet him again.

After dropping my partner off, I came back to the shop to finish up my order for this month. Man, waiting until the last minute is no fun. I gotta stop that. You’d think that I was in high school finishing a term paper or something. To help me with that, we are going to start doing a monthly meetup and discuss products that are coming out in the months ahead, so that I can get a good idea of what customers are looking for. Be on the lookout for that.

I’ve also posted the policy for pull lists and subscriptions. You can find that in the header above. Just click on the button, “Subscription & Pull Lists” and you’ll get all the details. To give me your pull lists or subscriptions, email me at agalaxycalleddallas@gmail.com or call me at 972-530-2600.

Helping Fans

By now, you’ve all probably heard the story, but just in case, here it is again. I tried posting this back on the 8th, but I had a few computer problems among other things. Jonathan Vela, aka San Antonio Aquaman, had a very severe stroke. One that would eventually take his life. This fund-raiser had already been put in place to offset hospital bills, but it will now be used to offset funeral expenses, in addition to the medical expenses.

You can also join a Facebook page called Aquafest. They will be gathering in his honor in San Antonio on Saturday, August 23rd. It’s looks to be quite a shindig and wish that I could make it, but I’m sure there will be plenty in attendance!

I will have a jar at the A Galaxy Called Dallas’ counter for donations, as well as, a link on Facebook, Google+, and the website. Help in anyway you can to remember the man who gave of himself. Long remember his name, Jonathan Vela.

Remember Aquaman Donation Site