Fans gather at the Stash for a 2006 appearance by Kevin Smith.
Filmmaker Kevin Smith is closing the Los Angeles version of the Jay and Silent Bob's Secret Stash store, according to reports.
As reported on News Askew, the official organ of Smith's film / comic book / toy marketing empire, the shop is falling victim to the "tough economy." [Update: The item, which was available on the News Askew site early Tuesday morning, appears to have been subsequently removed.]
There's no word at this hour on the outlook for the Red Bank original at 35 Broad Street. Blogger Peter Sciretta, who first reported the closing of the LA store on /film, says the Red Bank store is "still going strong" after a decade of operation.
Sciretta reports the LA store "has had a hard time staying afloat since
opening a few years ago. In 2007, the Westwood location was shut down
and moved into the popular DVD store Laser Blazer. But now the economic
downturn has forced Laser Blazer to shut the doors."
He adds that the store faced tough competition from comics retailer Golden Apple, which has a store in Hollywood and another in the San Fernando valley.
From News Askew:
It’s sad news, folks, and we hate to headline with it today, but we’ve
just heard that, due to the tough economy, Stash West is going to have
to close up shop once again. Once thought gone forever, Stash West was
given new life inside of the great Laser Blazer
store, after moving out of its original Westwood, CA digs. It was nice
having the store around for a while longer, and we certainly appreciate
all that Kevin, Ron and his staff did to keep the store running, as it
has always been a labor of love by fans, for fans.
This quote comes from Ron, owner of Laser Blazer,
who championed this project all along. We’re extremely thankful to for
hosting the store and giving it another run in Los Angeles:
"We gave it our best shot and we’re sorry
to see another great comic book shop leave L.A. It has been a pleasure
taking care of all of Kevin’s fans. If you haven’t been in yet, it’s
your last chance to see The Stash and say your goodbyes. All Stash
merchandise will be discounted 20% until the final day."
Kevin Smith is a loser
Wow did you guys take a day off at the green…..does anyone really care about this silly story???? One more empty store in red bank is not the end of the world….there is always bad movie making and the drug trade to keep kevin and his ship afloat
First off Kevin Smith is not a loser - the man has made millions making movies and writing comic books and scripts - he has one of the top comics on the market right now with the DC comic "batman" drawn by Walt flanagan who is the East side "secret Stash" Manager - Kevin (without trying to kiss hiss quite large a$$) is a hero to fanboy's & gals - local east coast slackers (because he was one who made it) and creative kid's around the world - I have to think that the West coast store closing is partial dude to it's location (in an upscale mall and rental costs) and that the east coast store is something of a museum and mecca to his follower's - You can always tell when Kevin is in town because his fans are everywhere. the statement by Jack Rodshaw it's is the true Jack Rodshaw (there is one) Then it is obviously made out of Jealousy - for me I think that "jay and silent Bob strike's back" is one of the funniest films ever made.
AlexanderA- did you read the story?
AlexanderA:
You might want to re-read the story and get your facts straight.
The store in Los Angeles is closing - the store in Red Bank is remaining open.
Maybe you've been watching too many bad drug movies.
Dear alexander A,
Is A for A'hole. Mr. Smith can buy and sell you all day long like a stock broker. Mr. Smith is set for life. You are just jealous that you did not think to max your credit cards to make an epic movie and become rich and famous like he did.
"I'm telling you has anyone seen Mike Hunt - If I find out where Mike Hunt is I'm going to take my hands and grab Mike Hunt"
fellatio
….what smells like shoe polish?
Really liked Clerks. The rest had their moments. But that last Jay and Silent Bob installment was almost unwatchable.
Memo to Mr. Smith: gratuitous profanity, like salt in food, does not add value after a while. Also: cut back on the donuts, man! You're on the fast track to heart disease and/or type 2 diabetes.
Excuse me!!! "jay & Silent Bob Strike's Back" is a masterpiece and Kevin isn't large (or as large as he'd like to be) I heard he was going to try out for one of the Macy's Parade Balloons (and has been bulking up for that)
haha i said piece & ball
Dear RBG - please explain to me why this is a story worth mentioning.
He's closing a store 3000 miles away from RB. The RB store is doing fine.
This is a non story and by showing a picture of his RB store with the words "closing" in the headline started some untrue and unfair rumors for those that don't read very closely.
David Prown
I'm not even supposed to BE here today.
BLB,
Mr. Smith has raised money for Diabetes as well as has had it affect family members. He is well aware of the problem. He is a little bit self-conscious about his weight so please do not bring it up again. Thank you for the health concerns but he would rather be happy and full of doughnuts than skinny, hungry and unhappy. Thank you.
Dear RBG - I/we appreciate the break from the usually hot headed-doom and gloomy over hyped corrupt housing type stories - It is good to see there are other stories in town - BUT! I noticed a number of Latino looking men standing out in front of the Secret Stash the other day - Were they there to buy the latest issue of "el Tigre" or is that a new mustering spot for day laborers?
Very Concerned!