Beloved Hamilton comic book store closes amid rent hike — but owner says he'll be back
CBC
Piles of bright comic books line the walls as Gary Burton makes his way around his Hamilton store in late July, attempting to pack up his business of over 30 years.
Burton, 62, who has lost most of his vision, is being evicted from his Barton Street East location, but said he's hopeful he'll open Burdin's Comics somewhere else soon.
"I feel like I need to do this for my customers because they've been so good to me," Burton said.
On Tuesday, a few of those customers were in the store packing up comic books, posters, trading cards and paraphernalia. Sean Morrison was among those helping out.
"Most of the people who've come in and realized what's happening are devastated," Morrison said. "This is a home away from home for me."
Burton was dealt two blows this year that led to the store closing.
The first is cataracts in both eyes that have caused him partial blindness. It's hard for him to see clearly, and small fonts are impossible to read, so he's been getting customers to enter their own totals into the cash register, he said.
He hopes to qualify for surgery soon to restore his vision.
The second issue is with his landlord, Burton said.
He's been renting the Barton Street East location for seven years, paying about $600 a month.
But in March, his landlord started increasing his rent, as she's allowed to do under Ontario's commercial tenancy rules.
By August, it was set to rise to $1,500 — more than double the original amount — and Burton knew he couldn't afford it, he said.
Business has been slow, with customers feeling the pinch of inflation and higher cost of living, Burton said. Comic books aren't high on their list of essential purchases.
Burton's landlord, Cassandra Goslin, 61, said in an interview that she's feeling the same financial pressures and has health issues of her own.
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