Comics! Costumes! Collectibles! Our Own Little Shop of Horrors

Host:  Scott Leon Smith

Guest:  Betsy Gerhart, MB Subculture

Scott

Hello and welcome to BizVox, a podcast for small businesses, entrepreneurs, and nonprofits.

We're here to help you build your knowledge, spur your productivity, and have a few laughs

along the way. This episode of BizVox comes to you from the cozy, creepy confines of MB Subculture in Bucyrus, Ohio. I'm Scott Leon Smith and I'm your host. Let's talk some shop.

I am surrounded by costumes and weird stuff and I am with the owner-operator, Betsy

Gerhart, and we're going to talk about a lot of stuff today. But the first thing I want to talk about is the holidays.

We all get stressed around the holidays, especially if we're owning and operating a small business. So, Betsy, thanks for being on the show.

Betsy

You're very welcome.

Scott

Tell me about how your holidays have been here at the shop.

Betsy

Well, we usually do pretty well during the holidays.

Comic books are in every week, so we usually count on that.

Costume rentals are pretty decent this time of year, not just for Santa's or the Grinch,

but a lot of people have parties and they're getting ready for the New Year's.

So I do have quite a few rentals about this month to get ready.

Scott

Are people doing costumed New Year's parties and costumed Christmas parties?

They do costumed New Year's parties.

Um, over in Galion, I think it's Planet 14.

They usually have a party. There's usually a theme.

So it's something they don't have, people don't want to go out and buy something.

And I like supplying for that. People enjoy dressing up. They do.

Scott

Now you also do costuming for local high schools when they do their …

Betsy

Yes, I do.

Scott

How many of those do you do in a year?

Betsy

Okay, usually I do three to four high schools in the spring. I will do maybe two in the summer for communities. And then in the fall, depends. Sometimes I get two to three fall plays, not counting my own, which is … I have in the spring. I do one at the elementary and I costumed that.

And then in the summer, we do one for Bucyrus.

Scott

So what are some of the shows that you have to work your costumes out for?

Betsy

Okay, well, this is some great old ones Wynford is doing Bye-Bye Birdie.

Scott

Okay.

Betsy

And Buckeye Central is doing, oh my goodness, Oklahoma.

Scott

Yes.

Betsy

So those are the two right now that I'm definite on.

The other ones will, they usually contact me after the first of the year for some extra

Stuff.

Scott

Yeah, pretty easy costuming.

Betsy

Oh, those are great.

Scott

And you also do Wizard of Oz and Beauty and the Beast.

Betsy

Well, I'm doing The Little Mermaid with little, little, little children.

Scott

Yes. Yes. So the tails don't have to be that bad.

Betsy

No. Well, there's a variety. I have a tiny, tiny up to a five-foot-seven girl. So yeah, it's, that's a challenge.

Scott

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Whenever I come in here, I always have fun because I'm always very, very comfortable

because I like weird stuff, and I'm terrified at the same time. So we're in the back room of MB Subculture right now where we've got masks, and I've got a Beetlejuice painting that I can see right over there.

MB Subculture, the word subculture, what made you decide on subculture Betsy for your branding?

Betsy

Well, because we wanted to include … you know … We like theater. That's my background.

So costuming masks. We used to have makeup. We don't sell a lot of that anymore just by special order, but we also like horror, creepy movies. And so we wanted to include it all. And that brings in all different kinds of people.

Scott

Yeah. Yeah.

Betsy

That's why we went with just about anything.

Scott

All kinds of interesting people I'm guessing.

Betsy

Oh, yes.

Scott

Yes. Yes. This place feels like just a safe place to be weird. And I think that's when I did the commercial for you, I think that's what I really latched onto in terms of the message of the commercial was that feel free to be strange. We're not going to judge you for being strange. And that's why I'm so comfortable here because I'm so strange.

Betsy

Aren't we all?

Scott

Yes, absolutely. Holiday strategies with a business like this that is so, your stuff is so off the wall.

What kind of crowd comes into subculture during the holidays looking for … what sell at Christmas?

Betsy

Everything in here. 

Scott

Yeah?

Betsy

We had a couple came in looking for especially Michael Myers things. So anything Michael Myers, they bought.

Scott

Wow.

Betsy

We have people that are coming in for something just different that they can't find in the

big stores for a friend, a child. A lot of people come for their kids. Kids love the creepy stuff and they'll come in and find something that they can't find anywhere else.

And that's what they're looking for. Something different.

Scott

I always notice that I notice the Funko Pop figurines which I have a few that you gave me for doing shows and I bought a few. I don't know what about those attracts me other than having Jack Nicholson from The Shining in a little googly-eyed doll. They're just amusing to me. It's just very amusing. And I love those things, and I collect them, and I feel weird doing it. But when I'm here I don't feel weird doing it because we're not judged.

What else sells in the holidays?

Betsy

Well, you always have comics every week, but there are holiday issues that specifically

for Christmas and they'll come looking for those. They're always here for their comics.

And the other things are usually something else. They need something for an elf for elementary productions or just anything.

I haven't had a whole lot of Santa costume rentals but I do have a lot of Mrs. Claus’ for some reason. And you know Buddy the Elf sometimes.

Scott

What comic has the best Christmas issues?

Betsy

I think the Archie comics right now. 

Scott

Really?

Betsy

They've been having a horror line which have they really sell. But they have a Christmas one. That's pretty good. And Batman has one right now, Silent Night, they're the creepy ones also which are good ones. But yeah everybody likes those holiday specials.

Scott

So much fun just to see a little bit of darkness applied to Christmas.

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We're talking with Betsy Gerhart owner operator of MB Subculture in Bucyrus. I want to talk about the weddings that you do. So, you're doing themed weddings now right?

How have you been doing those?

Betsy

Oh my gosh I've been doing those forever. I've done so many but one of them I do remember is my niece and she wanted a medieval. So I made her wedding dress and it was just a simple dress underneath but you could take the jacket off with the long sleeves to wear for the reception.

I've done some different horror ones.

Recently, last year, a couple that I usually costume around this time of year for the parties

they go to. They have a Halloween party. Last year, they didn't tell anybody in the invitation, but they got married. So I fixed up her dress and then I made her fiance a matching vest and coat and a top hat to go with everything. They looked awesome.

And then this year because they are married they … every year it's a theme. This year they did circus and I made him, he was a ringleader and she was like a Tarot reader. They're always wonderful. They love dressing up but that's my favorite one so far.

I like something different for weddings. It's kind of boring to alter a white dress.

Scott

Now, do you have to do a lot of Star Wars themes or Lord of the Rings themes?

Betsy

You know what? No. The only lore … the one I did was, they brought their little one in, I think he might have been six months old and I made him … which is the one Sean Austin plays?  Oh …

Scott

Samwise.

Betsy

Samwise.

I made him a costume for a photoshoot, and it was adorable.

I've not done any Star Wars. The only one … I went to a little outside market this summer, and I had a coat that I've had forever that is a Star Wars. And nobody's ever rented it, wanted it. So, I sold it, and the guy put it on. He, you know, just was excited. He danced all the way to his car. That is the only Star Wars I've ever done. That's it. And he was excited to have that. But Star Wars, that's probably one of our bigger sellers here for comics but costume-wise, no.

Scott

Tell me about the conventions that you go to. Are you still going to “Horror Hound?” Yep, “Horror Hound.” We love them. I mean, we've been, oh my gosh, how many years has this been going on? We've been going … Well, we've been in business for almost 11 years, so we've been going for us but we went for someone else for two years. And they're always fun. You meet so many different people. There's usually the actors are wandering around around you and they're very friendly. It's just fun to see other artwork and the actors and listen to them talk.

Scott

And for listening who don't know what Horror Hound is …

Betsy

It is a convention that's all about horror. The guy that runs it he has a magazine called Horror Hound. He also is a frontman for some bands and he's a big collector of anything - hh 80s, 90s, And the horror movies. He loves his wrestlers too. But it's a huge convention.

It grows every year.

Scott

And I've been there before too. And it's the things that you see. You can't see anywhere else.

Do they still have the masks? I know there was a time when the mask thing kind of broke off into its own …

Betsy

Okay. Maskfest is usually in Indianapolis. This year it was in September in Cincinnati because they do not have a hotel right now that will accommodate them. So, until they find another hotel, it will continue to be in Cincinnati in September.

Scott

Okay. Okay. So they're a separate convention.

Betsy

Yeah. They're with them, they're always with them. So they just joined together. It's just Maskfest with Horror Hound.

Scott

Okay gotcha. So they're still running concurrently.

That's one of the fun parts is seeing all those masks and then seeing the art that people

do based on, you mentioned Universal Monsters. I'm a huge Universal Monsters fan.

Just seeing so many paintings of Boris Karloff that I would love to buy but can't afford.

But, I mean, the things that you can't see anywhere else, especially if you want to, if you're

into the weird stuff, the horrors, and it runs the gamut from Universal Monsters all

the way to heavy, heavy gore stuff, which I try to avoid. But, and you are absolutely, when you talk about the people, they're all these strange characters wandering the lobbies of the hotel.

Who's your favorite?

Betsy

Of the?

Scott

Of the characters.

Betsy

Okay. There was a guy a couple of years ago dressed like Michael Myers. So, he had a Michael Myers, the horror mask on that he had a Michael Myers dressed as, um, oh, Austin Powers on his outfit. He's my favorite. I don't know why. I loved that.

When they're unique, and they come up with something different instead of that same

guy that walks around with a knife, I want to see something different.

Scott

And they have costume contests, right? And you judged a couple of them.

Betsy

I judged one when it was out in Indianapolis. Yeah, I did. That was great.

I loved it because it was with the people that run distortions. They're wonderful people.

I won a costume contest one year.

And but yeah, I love the … I love the little kids. I love seeing little kids dressed up. They're wonderful.

I dressed up one year. It was great. I dressed up as Gary Oldman in Dracula.

Scott

Yes. I've seen pictures.

Betsy

People kept calling me and saying, “Hey, sir,” and I had no idea they were talking to me. It was awesome. I loved it. I loved it. It's fun. I've never done that since, but it is fun to see everybody dressed up.

Scott

That's such a great thing to have that as part of your business, just something that's so

fun that you get to go to every year and make some good money and see old friends.

Betsy

And we get autographs, but now lately I just had my picture taken with Bruce Campbell.

I think I like a picture better than I like an autograph. I got to stand next to Bruce Campbell.

Scott

Of course. That is just, you're in the presence of greatness with that.

Betsy

Oh, yeah.

Scott

The chin. That's still there.

Betsy

Yeah. Oh, yeah. He's beautiful in that picture. Yes. Yes.

Scott

All right, we're going into a new year. So what is what's happening with MB Subculture in in the next year? Do you have anything lined up? Anything new?

Betsy

I think we're leaning more towards back, our theater background again, really pushing the

costuming more masks, more makeup again.

The comic industry is beyond crazy right now. It is a mess and it's getting harder and harder to deal with that. It's very frustrating. It's made me very tired. And everyone is having the same problems, not just me, but as a small, small comic shop, we really feel the brunt.

There's another comic shop that he, again last week, did not get a shipment like we didn't.

And before, the week before, and then there was a fire next to him and he had watered

Him. He's got his completely lost in one day and one of the best people, one of the best comic

Shops. So, he was beyond frustrated before. Now he's absolutely … what am I doing?

But he does well. He's in a big city, but I'm here in Bucyrus. I get walk-ins here and there. I get new polls, and then somebody leaves because they move and that's fine. It's the comic companies themselves. It's a mess.

Scott

Is it just like a shipment problem? Shipment confusion?

Betsy

They have no idea what they're doing with orders. They don't ship it when they're supposed to. They hold boxes. One of them held my boxes for four weeks and took out every comic that everybody wanted and shipped it somewhere else until I got nothing. Don't know if they're going to replace it because I have no phone number. You only have an email to deal with.

The other company, which was the monopoly before the pandemic, then DC and Marvel broke

Off. Marvel is still with the one big company DC's by themselves. I am at a loss what to do.

The other company decided in November to go from two warehouses to one warehouse.

They had New York and Mississippi Now it's all going to be in Mississippi. I have no idea what's going to come in. I don't know what they're going to do. You just don't know. 

Scott

You just have to shift your focus to something that's bringing the money in.

Betsy

Yeah, we'll still have them, but I just want to focus on what I know we're really good

at and we know. I mean, yeah, it's not going to have people in here every week, but that way I know. Costuming is really … costuming and the gifts are my best.

Scott

Do we still have some problems with people pre-ordering comics and not paying for them?

Betsy

Well, they got to pick them up. It's just as long as they pick them up I know there are people that don't get over here and that's fine I don't really have anybody right now. They all usually show up, here and there, but we get our weekly guys. Like, today is New Comic Day. We usually have our guys, and if they're not here today, they're here tomorrow or Friday. They'll come in.

They want their comics. I mean, they want their comics. Everybody thinks everything's online. No. They might read them online, but they want that physical copy in their hands, and the collectors want them in their hands. There's a lot of guys that are, you know, they collect them.

They want that.

Scott

Yeah. And that's good because I knew a few years ago you were having some problems with getting all these pre-ordered comics and people weren't picking up, and that's especially for a small business. I mean, if you pre-order something from Walmart or Target or something and you don't pay for it. And if you don't pick it up, you know, it's not a big deal.

Betsy

Right. Right. With me, I have to pay for everything upfront. And then I'm just waiting on them that, you know, it's like a promise that they're going to come get them. So you have to because I ordered them for you.

Scott

They have to pay for them here. So it's, oh man. But I'm glad that that's, that's, that's much better.

Betsy

Much better.

Scott

Many thanks to Betsy Gerhart for sharing all this stuff with the MB Subculture, which is just the tip of the iceberg. I mean, you really have to, if you're in the Bucyrus area, you do have to come down here and see what this shop is all about. And taking the time during such a busy holiday season.

Remember, everybody, pay for your comics. If you pre-order your comics.

Staying consistent with your brand. What a great example of that is knowing when … knowing where your money is coming from and knowing when your suppliers are having problems that you can shift things and not get overwhelmed because one thing is not coming in.

You can find MBSubculture and Crawford Theatre Company on Facebook.

Anything else, Betsy, that's, that's coming up show-wise?

I know that's your big voice in the community is, is your theater stuff and helping the schools and everything.

Betsy

Right. Just that Little Mermaid Junior at the elementary school will be in February.

Got a … woah, what a good cast. I've got some kids that are just absolutely excited to be doing this show. I mean, it's a tough one. It is. It's a big one. Even though it's an hour long, it's just as much as the full-length version. And then, for the summer, we're directing, I direct through, it's through Bucyrus schools, but it's not our theater company. It's my company, MB Subculture, directing and costuming and whatever for that. It’s for the community.

But, for the summer, we are doing Little Shop of Horrors, which will also be performed at the elementary school.

Scott

Are you building the puppet, or are you renting the puppet?

Betsy

Oh, my goodness.

We are renting it. We got grant money to do that through the school. I am so excited because I was ready to do it, but oh, thank you. Thank you. We are renting it straight from the company that produces or sends you your royalties, MTI.

Scott

I'm going to get somebody to crawl in that thing.

Betsy

I know.

Scott

We're thousands of other people who have crawled.

Betsy

I know.

Scott

Oh, my goodness. Well, we're looking forward to that.

Betsy

Yeah.

Scott

All right. Thank you, Betsy.

Betsy

You're welcome.

Scott

Again, I'm Scott. Thanks for listening.

Have a happy and hopefully not-so-stressful holiday season. I'm going to be back for one more episode before we bring in the new year. So, till then, let's get to work.

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