Vintage Phoenix

OVERVIEW

• Vintage Phoenix started as a counter in the Caveat Emptor. 

• Vintage Phoenix got its name from how its first store burnt down and came back like the mythological creature of the Phoenix.

• There is a free comic day on the first Saturday of May at Vintage Phoenix.

HISTORY

Vintage Phoenix has been around since 1991, and for 30 years they have been selling comic books in this building. Before Vintage Phoenix was in its current building, when Don Wilds was the co-owner of the Vintage Phoenix, they started in the building of Caveat Emptor, selling comics at the counter. Don partnered with Janis Starcs, the owner of Caveat Emptor, for the start-up of Vintage Phoenix. Both Don and Janis pooled together their money to keep their spot downtown, aka Caveat Emptor. They stayed in this location for a few years before Vintage Phoenix moved to where it is now. The owner, Don Wilds sadly passed away on December 14th, 2024, which is when Matt Traughber became the new owner of the Vintage Phoenix. 

ROLE IN THE COMMUNITY

Vintage Phoenix sells comic books, graphic novels, action figures, books, and manga. They also do many things for the comic book community. Local authors bring their creations to Vintage Phoenix to have them sell their unique items that they have made, which always seems to catch customer’s attention. They also sometimes have author signings, like Nate Powell, who made the graphic novel series March. He celebrated his release of his graphic novel, Come again, at the Vintage Phoenix.

Vintage Phoenix also has a subscription program; it doesn’t cost anything, and when you enroll into their loyalty program you get one point for every dollar you spend. When you get up to 100 points, you get a $10 coupon. Another way Vintage Phoenix serves their community is Free Comic Book day, the first Saturday of May! The Vintage Phoenix gives away one free comic to every customer. It can be any comic they want, no matter who it is made by. The Vintage Phoenix’s mission is to make comics affordable for everyone who wants to read and enjoy them.