Combining his retail experience, entrepreneurial spirit, and formidable comic book collection, David Philbrick opened The Comic Stop in Watertown in 1996. The shop, which will celebrate its 20th anniversary in September, hosts gaming tournaments and carries new and vintage comics, Magic: The Gathering cards, and other collectibles.

Q. How do you describe the business to non-comic book fans?

A. Aside from the collectibles aspect, it’s primarily a bookstore. Most of the business is comics, but there are also graphic novels — or collections of comics — that run all different styles. For readers and fans of writing, there really is something for everyone. Autobiographies and all sorts of wonderful stories have been told using this medium.

Q. How has the shop evolved?

A. A lot of my business is online now, but the mix has also changed. I tried all sorts of things, including selling video games and memberships for three years. I was seeing what stuck, but I was also spreading myself too thin. It took a few years, but ultimately I realized it’s best to concentrate on only a few areas.

Q. Any other lessons learned?

A. Looking back, I might not have started the business on such a shoestring budget. I didn’t put myself in major debt, but I had to completely devote myself seven days a week to getting it up and running. I’ve slowly cut back on hours — now the store is closed on Sundays and Mondays — but vacation is not a term I know. Even at home, I’m on the computer doing business on eBay, which my wife tends not to like all that much.

Q. How do you find new customers?

A. Every May and October, I participate in the national Free Comic Book Day when retail stores, publishers, and distributors float the cost to produce 50 different free books. I typically give out a couple thousand, and I’ll donate any extras to the library as prizes for summer reading. At the store it’s a big party, with face painting, a sketch artist, superheroes, games, and tons of food. It’s a way to thank my current customers and hopefully meet a lot of new ones.

Q. What advice can you offer to fellow entrepreneurs?

A. It’s important to be knowledgeable, but above all, persistence has kept me afloat. Keep plugging.

The Comic Stop is at 134A Main St. in Watertown. For more information, call 617-926-3430 or visit thecomicstop.com.

Cindy Cantrell may be reached at cindycantrell20@gmail.com.