Toronto’s legendary Silver Snail created a bit of a stir last year when it announced it would be moving after roughly 30 years at its Queen Street location. Now, the comic book store is just about ready to move into its new digs at 329 Yonge Street, but it’s not going without a bit of a show. That means, in this case, a human chain of at least 400 comic book enthusiasts who will line up to move boxes from the original location to the new one.
The event, which is set to take place on the morning of Aug. 18, is mostly just for fun, and not to actually move heavy boxes of inventory. Instead, participants will pass around 100 boxes — containing light prizes — to each other until the packages reach the new Silver Snail. Then, the prizes will be doled out.
Participants will also get T-shirts, coffee coupons, a chance to win a gift certificate, and 50 per cent off any item at the Queen Street location immediately following the event. (The store will remain open until Aug. 25, after which the real move will begin; the new store will open on Aug. 29).
Silver Snail co-owner George Zotti says close to 400 people have enrolled to participate already, which he says is enough to form a rough chain from the old location to the new one, with about 10 feet of space between participants. He says that the city doesn’t have permits for this type of activity, but he’s not expecting any trouble.
“We’re not going to get in anyone’s way,” he says.
Anyone looking to join the human chain can sign up at Silver Snail’s website.