In a remarkable comeback story, Dr. Comics, the local comic shop that was completely lost in a downtown fire last month, is set to reopen at the Orillia Square mall this spring.
The move marks a new chapter for the store, which has been a cornerstone of the community’s pop culture scene for years.
Carmine DeSanto, owner of Dr. Comics, expressed his excitement about the new location and the opportunity to rebuild after the fire that destroyed everything in the downtown shop.
“We didn’t get anything back,” DeSanto said. “We lost everything.”
Despite the total loss, he remains optimistic, crediting his 40 years of experience and strong connections within the comic and collectibles community for helping him restock inventory.
“Thank God we’ve found a lot of good collections,” he said. “We’re going to open up again with comics, toys, retro video games, and a lot of pop culture stuff.”
The Orillia Square mall reached out to DeSanto days after the fire, presenting an opportunity he couldn’t pass up.
“They gave us an offer we couldn’t refuse,” he said.
The mall, which has experienced a decline in foot traffic in recent years, sees Dr. Comics as a key player in revitalizing its appeal.
“I love that mall,” DeSanto said. “I know we can help bring a lot of foot traffic back.”
While DeSanto admits he will miss the charm of downtown, he recognizes the benefits of moving to the mall, including ample free parking — which wasn’t available at the former location.
“People would come to my shop but were afraid of getting a parking ticket,” he said. “Now, they can enjoy the store without that worry.”
The move also strategically positions the store to fill a niche left by the recent departure of GameStop and Showcase from the mall.
Despite losing irreplaceable items such as original paintings and vintage collectibles, DeSanto remains determined to create an even better experience in the new space, which is double the size of the previous store. He acknowledges the overwhelming support from the community and his loyal customer base, noting the store’s reopening announcement has already generated plenty of reaction on Facebook.
“We’re excited,” DeSanto said. “We’ve got double the space now, and we see a lot of promise for what we can do in this new location.”
He also confirmed both former employees will be returning, emphasizing the store’s comeback wouldn’t be complete without his team.
One cherished piece of the original store did survive the blaze — a Spider-Man mannequin, now bearing charcoal marks as a reminder of the store’s resilience.
“He’s got charcoal on him, but he looks good … He’s Spider-Man,” DeSanto remarked while revealing plans to feature the iconic figure prominently in the new store’s window display.
While DeSanto hasn’t ruled out a potential return to downtown if the opportunity arises, his primary focus is on reopening at the Orillia Square mall and reinvigorating the local comic and pop culture community.
“Let’s get back in business and get the community going again,” he said.
Dr. Comics is targeting a grand reopening in May, though the exact date has yet to be determined.