Time and Space Comics, a new comic book store, is hosting a soft opening in Stafford this weekend. For founder Kent McKee, this is the realization of a lifelong dream that has been years in the making.
McKee and his wife Courtney started Time and Space Comics in 2019 as an online venture. “We began by doing sales online and attending local comic cons,” McKee shared. After moving to Aquia Harbor, Kent had always envisioned opening a store in Stafford. The shop’s name holds special meaning, derived from a phrase the couple often say to each other: “I love you through all time and space.”
The path to opening a physical store wasn’t straightforward. Last December, McKee made the decision to leave his job in the film industry to focus entirely on making his dream a reality. The decision was fueled by a sense of urgency after the loss of both his parents, his father in 2017 and his mother in 2022. “I realized life is very short, and you should go after your true dream because you don’t know how long you have,” McKee said. He used his inheritance to fund the store, determined to honor his parents by building something they would be proud of.
Last April, McKee reconnected with an old friend, David Carr, owner of Tosche Station in Springfield. Carr and his friend John Kelly decided to invest in McKee’s vision, helping to bring the brick-and-mortar store to life. “We partnered with David and John to create the Time and Space Comics store right here in Stafford,” McKee explained.
Comics have always held a special place in McKee heart. He said severe dyslexia meant reading was a challenge, but comic books became his gateway to literacy and a way to feel connected. “Comics helped me learn to read better and not feel so alone in the world,” McKee shared. His connection to comics runs deep—he was named Kent after Superman’s alter ego, Clark Kent, a nod to his adoption story and the year his father was born, 1938, the same year Superman was created.
McKee described Time and Space Comics as an “80s-themed comic book store with an arcade, focusing on vintage and rare comics and toys. We buy and sell. We have toys from the 80s-90s and new toys. Our comic book and toy selection is unlike anyone has seen before, great for Kids, adults, and collectors.”
The store plans to offer board game and card game nights, book signings, and film star appearances.
With the opening of Time and Space Comics, McKee hopes to give back to the community, particularly to children who, like him, might find comfort and inspiration in the pages of a comic book. “I want to help kids have comic books in their life to help with the problems in life and have heroes to look up to on the page and in real life,” he said.
Time and Space will have a soft opening on Saturday, Aug. 31. Doors will open at 11 a.m. with a small ribbon-cutting ceremony and a raffle for attendees. A larger grand opening celebration is planned for December 1. The store is located at 1075 Garrisonville Road.
