PLANT CITY, Fla. (WFLA) -- Tucked away in Plant City, you’ll find Plant City Comics Café, or PC3, a tapestry gem of anime, old school, new school, rare collectibles, and chef-inspired menu options.
There’s no dusty old bookstore smell here. Instead, you’ll get wafts of ramen, burgers, and chai. Everywhere you look, a continued feast for your eyes.
For owner 55-year-old Army vet Michelle Irving, diving into the comic book world business venture was born out of love for her husband.
“You can’t keep standing next to somebody and not see their dreams met,” said PC3 owner Michelle Irving.
The couple’s worldly travels inspired the collection.
“We had been traveling to different places, and every time we did, my husband Sherick would always go to a comic book shop,” Michelle said.
Comic books are admittedly not Michelle’s thing, which is where the inspiration for the café came along. She made a spot to coexist with the comic fanatic in her life, her husband, Sherrick.
“Ghost Rider number one. This is something that people are trying to pick up on now, and we are fortunate enough to have it here,” said owner Sherrick Irving.
You’ll find the usual suspects, new books, key books, classics, manga, Disney, and Funko Pops. But the real jackpot is unboxed, in the vault.
For all the unearthed treasures here, it’s more than just a shop.
“We also offer Dungeons and Dragons game night, and we want to try to offer trivia night so that it does bring people in, and it brings in kids, and kids can feel like they can come here and it’s a safe space for them,” Michelle said.
Michelle said she’s hoping PC3 adds a more connected sense of community and to be the hero we all need.
She tells us this month the best-selling comic subscription is Batman No.1. Visit PC3 to learn more.
