A Hero's Legacy Opens for Business in Manchester

It's a rare sight to see customers lined up around the block to buy comic books on a Thursday morning. But that was the scene at A Hero's Legacy on West Middle Turnpike this morning, as the popular local comic book store reopened for the first time since the death of former Owner Brian Kozicki in late August. 

Now known as A Hero's Legacy, in tribute to Kozicki and the lasting impact he had on many in the community, the store is now owned by April Kenney, Kozicki's longtime friend. Although the inside has undergone a slight remodel to make it a little more open and spacious, the store still seemed to have the same vibe and customer-friendly atmosphere Thursday morning as dozens of customers flooded in to express their support and gratitude to Kenney for reopening the location. 

"It's kind of like Cheers," said Bruce Williams, a Manchester resident and longtime customer of Buried Under Comics who said he was "glad" to see the store reopened Thursday. 

"You start coming here and everybody knows everybody and everybody's taking care of everybody," said Williams. "When Brian was around, he could always find anything for anybody." 

Even the staff at A Hero's Legacy seemed to be a holdover from Kozicki's time as owner. 

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"We're still going to have all the same family," said Kenney. "I think it's still going to be the same place. We updated a few things, but it's still the same people, still the same books. We're not changing everything. We still want this to be like everybody's second home." 

Mayor Leo V. Diana was on hand this morning to help cut the ribbon to reopen the store and welcome Kenney to the Manchester community, but an official "Grand Opening" for A Hero's Legacy is planned for Saturday, Nov. 10 at 10 a.m. with a special sale for customers that day. 

"It's great to have you back in town," Diana told Kenney.