As rising fears of a coronavirus outbreak continue to impact businesses within Santa Clarita, local comic book store Brave New World Comics has implemented several new services in an effort to ensure safe health measures while also keeping their business going.

Earlier in the week, federal, state, and local officials instructed many businesses to close down or limit their services in an effort to stall the progress of an outbreak of COVID-19, also known as the coronavirus.

Even though Brave New World Comics in Newhall is not yet amongst the list of shuttered businesses, just the idea of closing down the shop for any amount of time is a “real nightmare scenario” for owner Andy Liegl and his daughter Elizabeth.

“As the business owner, this is my sole source of income,” Liegl wrote Monday night. “So when everyone stops buying comics, Elizabeth and I stop eating.”

As of Tuesday, Liegl and his team at Brave New World have implemented a series of new measures designed to help maintain safety, while also continuing to provide what Liegl calls the “best escapism possible that’s enjoyed on an individual level”: reading.

“We will continue to be here to service you throughout this period of social distancing by implementing new services beginning immediately,” he wrote. “As of this writing we will continue to receive new releases every Wednesday, and with the kids out of school, now is a great time to stock up on reading material.”

These new measures include:

• Heightened Hygiene: While Liegl said that he and his team “already took pride in our clean store,” Brave New World Comics has intensified their dedication to cleanliness. This includes all employees wearing vinyl gloves as well as plastic-bagging every purchase, with the shop picking up the tab for the bags.
• Curbside Pick Up: Mirroring the methods that the food service industry have adapted in this uncertain time, Brave New World Comics staff will now physically bring any orders straight to a person’s car. All they need to do is call and pay ahead.
• Shipping: Residents who are either unable to or uncomfortable with leaving their home can call Brave New World to arrange for their books to be shipped directly to them, with orders of $100 or more being shipped for free.
• Local Delivery: During this period of social distancing, Liegl has pledged to personally deliver comics to customers’ doorsteps every Friday between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. Residents must live in either Santa Clarita or Pasadena, have an order of at least $100, and pay by noon the Thursday before.
• “See You on the 4th” Storage: Residents can also opt to have Brave New World Comics store their purchases after paying for them until tensions caused by the coronavirus calm down. Dubbed “See You on the 4th,” customers who use this service would need to pick up their books by July 4, although this date is subject to change as the situation evolves.

By implementing these new services, Liegl hopes to keep food on the table while also providing much-needed entertainment for residents in this time of uncertainty.

“Please stay safe and clean everyone, and don’t forget about us,” he wrote. “We are here for you, and we need you all now more than ever!”

To find out more about Brave New World’s new services, as well as updates on the store itself, click here.

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