The Good, the Bad, and the Dedicated: How Comic Con Boosts Local Businesses

Economic Impact of Comic-Con on Local Businesses

Comic-Con, one of the most anticipated events in San Diego, brings both opportunities and challenges for local businesses. Two businessmen in the Gaslamp District shared their experiences, highlighting how the event affects their operations differently.

Oscar Chou, who manages his family’s restaurant, Shisan Fan, located just two blocks from the San Diego Convention Center, noted that the business saw an increase in customers during last year’s Comic-Con. The restaurant, which serves sushi and Chinese food, opened a month before the event and experienced a surge in patronage. Chou mentioned that the place was packed all day, with many visitors dressed in costumes related to their favorite comics or superheroes. He described the experience as exciting, especially when customers wore makeup and costumes like Superman or the Joker. His family worked long hours during the event and even purchased more fish than usual to meet the demand.

On the other hand, Omar Farah, who owns two novelty stores in the Gaslamp District and another in Seaport Village, faces a different situation. He explained that while he usually enjoys steady business from tourists throughout the summer, the period around Comic-Con is less favorable. Farah said that sales tend to slow down before and during the event because his regular customers are not typically tourists. He also pointed out that Comic-Con attendees often spend their money inside the convention center rather than at local shops. According to him, the only businesses that benefit are hotels, restaurants, and ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft.

Farah expressed a preference for holding Comic-Con during late fall or winter, similar to the 2021 special edition held in November during the pandemic. He believes that scheduling the event during the off-season would reduce the impact on local sightseers and allow the city to maintain its tourist appeal during the summer months.

A Local Advocate for Exploring Beyond the Convention Center

Alonso Nuñez, the executive director of Little Fish Comic Book Studio, offers a unique perspective. His organization hosts comic book classes, camps, and events at public libraries, and he serves as a judge for this year’s Comic Con Hall of Fame class. With over 30 years of experience attending Comic-Con, Nuñez emphasizes the importance of stepping away from the convention center during the four-and-a-half-day event.

In his younger years, Nuñez spent most of his time at the convention center, exploring exhibit halls and searching for affordable comics. Now, he takes breaks when he isn’t hosting events or participating in panels. He also makes it a point to introduce friends visiting for Comic-Con to nearby neighborhoods such as Little Italy and Barrio Logan.

Nuñez feels a personal responsibility to show visitors that San Diego is more than just the airport, the convention center, and un-walkable areas. As someone born and raised in the city, he wants to challenge the perception that the region is limited to these spaces. By guiding visitors to explore beyond the main attractions, he hopes to give them a more comprehensive view of what San Diego has to offer.