SJM_Comics & Killers Collectibles ProfileFINAL_0822 . qxp_profile 8 / 30 / 22 2 : 57 PM Page 1 PROMOTION B U S I N E S S S P O T L I G H T A Kid at Heart At Comics & Killers Collectibles , owner Eric Yelowitz shares his lifelong passion for comics , toys and everything pop culture in a store where geeking out is not only accepted , it’s encouraged . By MATT COSENTINO quickly spread about collecting as I possibly can . ” HEN ERIC YELOWITZ WAS GROWING UP his unique offerings . Yelowitz is backed by his family , including IN THE 1980S AND ’ 90S , THE TERM “ I’ve heard from his father and uncle , who are teaching him W “ NERD ” WAS USED IN A DEROGATORY a lot of people that the ropes about running a business , along FASHION TO LABEL SOMEONE WHO MAYBE there isn’t anything with his significant other Gabrielle — who has WAS A LITTLE BIT OUT OF THE ORDINARY . It like this place in the supported his dream from the start — and their has since evolved into a badge of area , ” he says . “ There are a lot of big - box chain three girls , ages 15 , 14 and 6 . It’s evident the honor for those who consider themselves stores but not many places to go for toys and business has come a long way since Yelowitz super fans of various forms of pop culture , comics . There are very few places around that and his wife started it out of the basement of and Yelowitz is the first to admit that he have a lot of the stuff that we have . ” their home . belongs in that category . One could spend an entire afternoon at Not surprisingly , Comics & Killers Col - He will proudly share , for example , that Comics & Killers Collectibles perusing toys such lectibles supports charities like the Ronald he rented the same Teenage Mutant Ninja as die - cast airplanes , plushies , Matchbox and McDonald House and is active in the com - Turtles VHS tape a hundred if not a thousand Hot Wheels cars . There are munity , including sponsorship of an upcoming also hard - to - find times as a boy ; that the 1989 Batman movie classic car show in Eastampton . Yelowitz loves VHS tapes and a huge catalog of books ranging starring Michael Keaton and Jack Nicholson to give free items to kids at conventions too , from the Goosebumps series all the way up to still ranks as his favorite film of all time ; and like the recent Dunder Con , a gathering of signed Stephen King novels . Visitors can discover that he can occupy himself for hours building cast members from The Office in which he antiques like vintage lamps and clocks , adver - creations out of Legos . provided a merchandise booth . tisements from the late 1800s and early 1900s , Clearly , Yelowitz has maintained his child - At the end of the day , he just enjoys meeting and all sorts of knickknacks . “ You name it , I’m like wonder even as he’s become an adult and like - minded people , whether they’re 40 or 10 . He pretty sure I have it , ” Yelowitz says . a father to three daughters , with another baby encourages South Jersey residents to stop by As much as the store caters to serious col - on the way . Sitting in an office all day was Comics & Killers Collectibles , where he will lectors and enthusiasts , however , Yelowitz is never going to suit his personality , which is educate newcomers to comics about his favorite equally excited to welcome those new to the why he took the leap to follow his dream titles , teach fellow collectors how to sell their hobby and especially children of all ages . A own earlier this year and opened Comics & Killers kid at heart himself , he goes out of his way to items , and even pick up some tips himself from Collectibles , a store filled with everything from make youngsters leave happy . kids about the current pop culture landscape . comic books to action figures to movie props “ If you have children and they want to “ Anything that we can do for the community and so much more . start reading comic books , they can come in and local people , that’s what we’re here for , ” “ I’ve always been into comics , I’ve always for our ‘ Free Comic Book Fridays , ’ ” he says . he says . “ That’s why I opened this store . I been into art , and I’ve always been into toys “ As long as they behave during the week , they didn’t want it to just be a place for people to and collectibles , ” Yelowitz says . “ I’m not just a do their homework and they’re under 10 , they buy stuff ; I want people to hang out , check guy who owns a toy store — I have tons of stat - can come in and get free comics every Friday . out my collection and talk to me about nerdy ues , figures , Bobbleheads , posters and movie If your child wants to get into collecting Hot things . I want people to come in and have a programs all over my house . I was working a Wheels cars , we have Hot Wheels ranging great time , because that’s what it’s all about . 9 - to - 5 job and I was miserable , and I decided ? from $ 2 apiece all the way up to $ 200 apiece It’s not just a store , it’s an experience . ” I preferred to do something I loved to do . ” for serious collectors . We have mystery starter Yelowitz , who grew up in Marlton and now collection bags , where you pay $ 10 and get a lives in Lumberton , started by selling items little bag of tchotchkes . We also have mystery from his own collection out of his basement Comics & Killers Collectibles packs of cards and Pokémon bags . I want to before finding a storefront on Route 38 in Haine - 1459 Route 38 , Unit 4 | Hainesport | ( 856 ) 393 - 3653 get as many of the younger generation into sport . He officially opened in July and word has SOUTH JERSEY MAGAZINE volume 19 issue 5 SouthJerseyMagazine.com | 55
