Living the
Home
of
life
a panhandler Spoke reporter goes undercover experience
Do echinacea and chicken soup really
Spoke
to
on
life
remedies: fact or fiction?
the street.
work?
HEALTH
3!
Are tanning beds safe? Examining the dangers associated with indoor tanning.
HEALTH
Monday, January
2003
Conestoga College, Kitchener
By VALENTINA RAPOPORT
“I just felt
Imagine a job where you can kick back and read a comic book. For Christopher Chettle of
there
dream come
took
a
Eight years after finishing
true.
only two years of a three-year
animation
classical
course
at
Sheridan College, Chettle opened his
own comic book
store.
had
1
was
figurines,
more,
of animation
comic books and much
the
love
Chettle's
represents
store for
comic book
it,
was
it
store location.
“The day I came and got the keys (for the location he rented) I
home
drove
lected
sorts
to
receive a family loan and find a
becoming the only comic book store in Cambridge. all
them
Once the decision was made, it him only six weeks to
literally
1
do
a time to
couldn’t believe
E.,
to beat
now.”
Retro Rocket Comics and Toys opened on Nov. at 457 King St.
Selling
1
punch,” he said, adding, “If
the
it’s
— No.
it’s a plane ... Cambridge’s own Retro Rocket Comics and Toys
it’s
Cambridge,
35th Year
a bird,
It’s No,
6,
it,”
laughing.
I
he said.
was very glad that I had col(comic books and other
“I
much
items) as
as
I
did because
would have cost me a
money
if
lot
it
more
hadn’t.”
I
While the majority of tion
is
illustrations.
still
some items
“Every Wednesday is like Christmas for me,” Chettle said, referring to the day when his new stock of toys and coniic books is delivered to the store. “I get to open boxes of new comics and toys.” Achieving his ultimate goal at the age of 30, Chettle still has a hard time believing his dream has come
sell*
his collec-
for sale at his store, there are
Chettle refuses to
“I’ve got certain things that are
my
babies,” he said. “I’ve got some Superman memorabilia and other stuff
won’t
I
sell.”
Finishing most of the renovations himself, with the occasional help from his family, Chettle was able to open his store within two weeks
was rented. came into the
after the location
true.
“My
relatives
“There are definitely worse jobs than reading comics and playing games.” Christopher Chettle,
it
family but also local residents of
owner
ages.
all
“I get a lot
doesn’t
“It
seem realistic. much fun,” he said.
It
seems like too Developing a love for drawings and comic books when he was a young boy. Chettle remembers the first
time he was introduced to
“A neighbour brought over full
like a trip
it’s
(when
who say down memory lane
of people
they’re
Chettle
I
a
box
just fell
in
store),”
the
in
said. “It’s
not just for kids,
become swept up
adults also
The
store carries
figurines
different
from the ’70s through including
’90s
the
many
including vintage
GI
to
Joes,
I’ve collected
since,” he said. Since then, Chettle has continued collecting all sorts of action figures
and many other action figures.
and comics, which now make up 80
can also be found. “There are a lot of kids
in the area
per cent of the items sold in his
and
store.
Chettle said.
them and
them ever
went to college I had boxes of toys and comics,” he said, adding. “I must have moved 10 times and half the moving van would always be my
“When
boxes
After college, Chettle worked at different part-time jobs and also
some
I
toys,
want
such as the Simpsons,
freelance animation
work
figurines
he
to cater to
them as
at
me
my name
funny
out there
Despite stressing over the financial aspects of the store, Chettle
said
waking up every day knowing he gets to go to work at a he
loves
now.
so nice to say
wanted
I’ve
have a store
I
this
for
so
With 7,500 comic books currentand 100 to 200 more arriving every week, the store is growing bigger every day. addition
adding, “Sometimes down and breathe.”
to
renovating
has
the
also
would walk with a tape gun in one hand and a staple gun in the other and my backpack full of flyers.” he said, referring to putting up flyers in downtown Cambridge “I
prior
to
the
store’s
need
to sit
actually
I
and get
making money games at the same
start
to play
time."
opening.
at
residence
month.
snowboarding
said
out because the holi-
books.
Chettle
I
ments. which take place once a
Bummed
the store.
someone else was planning to open a comic book store in Cambridge.
helps pay the rent.” he said,
it
days are over? Feeling stressed because you have another semester to contend with? Don’t fret,
done most of the advertising for
himself.
mine.”
Chettle
Sunday
always kept hoping one day I would have this (his own store). I always had it on the back burner,’ His decision to finally open his came after he discovered
games." he said. "It will be the perfect job w hen
it’s
end of the week. Resident are not sure what the events will be yet, but are hoping and it will take place soon. A ski
By KATE VANDEVEN
upcoming events at residence will keep you busy and away from the
store
also works part time serving at a Cambridge restaurant.
best part
that
appealing to adult collectors
only.”
for local stores.
he said.
In addition to running his store,
will all pay off in the end. "There are definitely worse jobs than reading comics and playing
is
Keep busy
“Many of the comic shops I went when I was young seemed aimed
In
Regardless of the long hours he w'orks. Chettle said he feels
well,”
store
“I
long and to be able to finally tell people that it has happened is very gratifying,” he said, adding, “The
“It
place that belongs to him.
to at
sells at his store.
I had to get somehow.”
but
“It’s
ly in the store
toys.”
did
Newer
I
and
Christopher Chettle, owner of
“People would look
Transformers, Star Trek figurines
love with
(Photo by Valentina Rapoport)
WWE wrestling Retro Rocket Comics and Toys, poses with one of the in Cambridge. store book comic only the is 1 and Nov. It opened
in
it.”
types of toys
comics. of comic books.
store
opened and were absolutely blown away,” he said. “They were nudging each other saying, T knew he could do it.’” Two months after it opened. Retro Rocket Comics and Toys has not only impressed friends and
when
Along
with
CSI
events
at
planning for its residents a casino trip, a bingo trip, movie nights, ping pong and
school, residence
pool
is
tournaments,
sundae
(wh*ere
you can make the
biggest sundaes you can for a small price) and euchre tourna-
Resident adviser Debbie Brock
at the
advisers
trip
is
also being
discussed.
that resi-
Although there are not a
dence is hoping to put on this semester include a bus trip to a Leafs game, a shopping trip to Toronto, and Winter Olympics. The Olympics would take place
details yet. plans are in the
over a week, with each featuring a new e\ent and points being tallied
to
some bigger events
lot
of
works
you a chance to get awaj’ from the everyda) stresses and have some fun. Look for flyers around residence
to give
find out about the
events.
upcoming