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Categories: Toy Stores, Community Service/Non-Profit
Neighborhood: Park Slope9th St-4th Ave (F, M, R)
Mon-Sun. 11:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
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The Superhero Supply Co. is a GREAT non-profit that brings free tutoring to kids. The front of the store sells your standard superhero supplies, and a secret door in the back leads to a free tutoring center. This organization, started by David Eggers, makes learning fun for kids and they should have this in every city!
Not to mention that there is a TON of cool stuff for nerdalicious adults, like myself:) I heard about this place awhile back and was SO excited to find out that it was around the corner from my friend's apartment. We cruised in after brunch and instantly regressed into the 10-year old boys we never were.
The Superhero Supply Co. sells a lot of cool stuff that could come in very handy in my very important adult life, ie. a map of the negative zone that lays out such important locations as "place where nothing happens", invisible superhero instruments, capes for every occasion, and muscles in a can (4,000,000,000 calories per tablespoon, I believe. So good and so good for you!). We had SO much fun perusing the shelves and playing with the gadgets!
I finally decided to buy a tote bag. I would have bought the muscle in a can, but thought that I might have trouble taking the strange powder inside the can through airport security at the end of my trip. I took my purchase to the vault and took the requisite superhero vow that I, Lieutenant Tubesocks, would use my superhero powers for good, not for evil.
The Superhero Supply Co. was a FUN experience and I am really glad I had the chance to check it out! We left feeling happy that we had helped out the organization and fulfilled with our 1/2 hour of childish fun.
I can't wait to check out the Pirate Supply Co. in San Francisco! :)
I'm compelled to write this review after reading some confused reviews below, just to clear the record.
The Superhero Supply Co. is a volunteer-run and non-profit part of 826nyc, the foundation created by Dave Eggers to provide FREE writing classes, workshops, and tutoring for kids. The store front is just that - a store front for the tutoring center in the back. When I lived in the neighborhood, I volunteered here every week.
While it's true that nobody needs anything this place sells (except, of course, for McSweeney's fans - the Supply Co. has a good selection of books and issues of The Believer - and, naturally, capes, which we all need at some point in our lives), the sheer joy kids get from coming into this place for some after-school tutoring or a screenwriting workshop and stopping to try on a superhero cape is definitely super-awesome. It's not bourgeois and I can't think of many better community values than working adults volunteering their time to help kids express themselves creatively.
When people (usually young hipsters, in my experience) do buy something - a can of antimatter, say - as a joke, their amusement is always worth the price, and it's always a good time watching hipsters read the Superhero Declaration required while making every purchase.
There's even a full printing press in the basement so kids can get bound copies of their stories every week! It's really a wonderful place where a lot of dedicated people give a lot of their time. I can't say enough great things about it.
The only superpower I'm interested in attaining is the one that all of my fellow Park Slopers already seem to have--the stupendous ability to afford $4k/mo Park Slope rent while looking like they haven't bathed in weeks.
The fact that a place like this can stay afloat in this neighborhood is really only a testament to just what a caricature Park Slope has become. What's even more unbelievable is the fact that no one seems to realize just how bourgeois the whole concept of this place is. Something tells me that people who live in real actual working neighborhoods don't have the time, money, or interest to head to a place like this.
"But it's for the kids!" Whatever. Give me a strong working class community with common sense values. That will do more for the kids than cans of gravity every will.
Inspiring!! I could of spent hours in there renovating my super hero powers. The Superhero Supply Co. is like no tutoring center imagined. It is run by volunteers from all spectrum's of the universe, bringing their superhero powers to help tutor students after school in their "edu-cave" (you need to take a tour to fully understand the term). Purchases made go directly to the center. I left with two student written books and a Brooklyn Superhero shirt. Stop on by to recharge your superhero powers and enjoy!!
I took a little boy I was baby-sitting on a trip to this store. He was 5 and a little too young to appreciate or really get into the items in the store. However, he was fascinated with all the cool gadgets for sale even though we had to have them explained to us. Most of the gadgets were pretty expensive but very cool - motion detectors, night vision binoculars, and suction cups to climb walls with. He really wanted to get something and ended up being totally satisfied with a white Oxygen gum-ball that can help you breathe underwater, a cheap magnifying glass which he wanted to burn insects with or try to light leaves on fire, and a slap bracelet which he had never seen before. We did manage to get a photo taken with the wind machine and cape for his mom - it was a fun trip and a great place for kids. I love the mission of the company and tutoring efforts - highly recommend.
I threw my lackey simpleton into a red caged devillainizer despite her displeasure and behind her asian skinned outfit, she truly is french! So as we wandered throughout this store, I bought some evil goo, although tempted by bottled chaos, canned muscle and dreams of being a true superhero *sniff*. However! I vowed my right to evil evil evillness.
Unfortunately, some brilliant tiny superheroes ran through some magical hidden door, to proclaim their justice and creativity to save others from evil creatures such as myself, tutored of course from superheroes. Alas, quite brilliant they are.
Somehow when I heard about this place, I assumed it was going to be a warehouse with what looks like endless rows of metal frame shelving stacked neatly with all the necessities a hero may need. It's not.
The rest of the location is probably behind the secret doorway to the literary world...gasp...my loose lips gave away the treasured hidden gem. Ahh...books don't get me. It's capes, leotards and metal canisters filled with what sounds like "magic" sand/powder(?). Now that is what gets my attention.
Want to test the aerodynamics/flutter of your cape? Feel free to step foot upon the specially designed flight simulator stand and test out awesome camera ready super heroic poses.
The weaponry arsenal was imaginative, but looked like I would last only 1/100th of a second in battle against my arch-nemesis, señor cadete espacial. But I don't mind purchasing a few of them and bring them back to my lair to tweak and reinforce for battle! *woop pah*
I was also expecting a more extensive collection of leotards and tights, because you know white makes me look fat, black just makes me look like Cat Woman and red is too noticeable.
Checkout is a hoot. It was disturbingly embarrassing to read out the "Superhero oath", because inside I did not trust the side that they claim to be for good fully (i just met thee and you offer the world). But in order to receive my spoils, I had to complete the full read to retrieve. I will come back and vengeance will be mine!
Percentage of proceeds and all donations go to supporting creative learning and writing, which is held in the room we do not speak about: the "secret room".
I pretty much lost my mind in this store. You can buy everything they have on display there (more or less) and all the money benefits teaching creative writing to children.
You can buy t-shirts and hats, x-ray vision and night vision goggles. It's an amazing place. A fantastic place to take children.
When my girl and I rolled into this place, I had no idea what to expect, but without my mask I was completely vulnerable to identify theft. But any moron who steals a superhero's identity is making a terrible mistake and is prolly a bottom basement criminal mastermind to begin with. That's why I felt safe enough to enter, I guess.
Really great place. Not only does it have potions for super powers that I didn't even have when I walked in, but it's even got varied ideas for a new costume should I get bored with my own. Just for kicks, I tried on a nice flowing red cape and tried it out on the flight machine - a big fan that you stand on that tests the flowing capacity of capes. Aces.
Every gadget a hero needs is at your disposal and there's even a test you can take to see how pure or villainous you are deep down in your heart. I didn't pass the test and turned out to be pretty criminal (I faked it - had to protect my alter ego, you see.)
The spot is actually a way to fund writing workshops for kids, which I think is an amazing idea. They have them all over the country, just different, like Astronaut Supply stores, etc. Wonderful, wonderful place.
Okay bye, I have to go now because the Joker is attacking the Statue Of Liberty or something.
This store defeats all possible classifications, and well deserves a visit.
Awesome gifts that you can't get anywhere else, truly memorable shopping experience, and all for a good cause (it is a not for profit, and funds go to 826NYC, if I'm not mistaken).
If you are into graphic design / concept design / branding you'll appreciate the fantastic job these people have done with this place and their products. An academic essay about the nature of value added could be written.
Watch for the hidden door that takes to 826NYC's tutoring room. You may even see some kids getting in and out. And be prepared to take the oath of heroism (no purchases possible without it!).
This place is pretty cool if you're into this sort of thing. I think it's a cool concept and most of all the proceeds go to charity for a children's writing workshops. It's hard to explain what type of store this is.. but it's definitely a place where you can be a kid again and relive your childhood in an instance. As you walk down the aisles, you'll find yourself smiling and giggling to yourself and looking around to see if others are doing the same. This is definitely worth checking out.
Why don't places like this exist in EVERY city?
I cannot wait to see a Superhero Supply Co. on every corner so kids everywhere can get excited about reading and learning.
I wonder what it would take to turn public schools into Superhero Supply Companies...
Occasionally a girl needs to gear up for her super-hero adventures, and this is the place to service all your super-hero needs. It's brilliant.
I've been sporting my new orange x-ray vision glasses all over the Slope. Peeps aren't sure if I'm hipster or crazy. I'm maybe a little bit of both.
It's not 100% faboo. It can be a bit twee and annoying if you're over 12 and have a hangover that you can swim in.
Phenomenal.
When I tell the folks back home that in my new neighborhood there's an honest-to-god ACME-style superhero store, they don't believe me. When I tell them that I wouldn't be able to fight of 15 ninjas a day (give or take) without supplies from this store, they don't believe me. When I tell them that I have to recite the Superhero Vows every time I need to stock up on super supplies, they especially don't believe me.
When they get jumped by ninjas and I'm there in my superhero tights to save them with a can of Liquid Justice, maybe then they'll believe me.
Come here for gifts that you can guarantee will not be forgotten - everything from a can of courage to a custom cape to a secret identity kit to an air cannon can be found within these walls. Not sure if that cape is going to look good on? Not a problem - stand on the special platform complete with high-velocity winds and see just how cool it will look in action.
Come prepared with an ultra-witty superhero name because before you insert your payment into the secret vault and before you practice announcing your superhero pledge you will have to have your superhero name run through the villain database just to make sure you're actually one of the good guys.
The best part of all (and you thought the custom capes were the best part . . .) is that all proceeds go to funding a youth literacy program. So in a way, you really are a little bit of a superhero when you buy something from the Superhero Supply Co.
Faster than a speeding bullet! Stretchier than my elastic undies! Invisibler than Casper the Friendly Ghost! At Brooklyn Superhero Supply, my dreams CAN come true. Honestly, there's nothing that amazing about the actual *stuff* they sell. But for the novelty, creativity and the superworthy mission (funding writing programs for kids) -- a whopping 5 stars. Then again, minus half a star for the poor little kids who go home and test the contents of their $11 bottle of Anti-Gravity by jumping off the roof.... Oops. (4.5 stars)
Prior to visiting NY recently, I'd been reading the fantastic novel, The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay by Michael Chabon, which is about two guys in 1930's and 40's Manhattan who create a comic book series based on the adventures of a character named "The Escapist."
The book explores a lot of the mythology surrounding superheroes and the void their stories fill in our lives when the troubles of the world seem insurmountable for ordinary humans. I really enjoyed the book and so it was with great excitement that I learned about the Brooklyn Superhero Supply Co., located a mere two blocks from where we were staying. It was a must-stop-in for the trip.
First of all, I absolutely loved the mock-seriousness that the sign out front explains all of the services provided by the store which include, among other things, a full service capery and help with all nemesis problems. I regret that I was not able to see the capery, because I found out once I got back to Denver that you can get inside of it and have wind blown at you so the cape flies back. Damnit!
The store stocks all sorts of useful things for both the beginning and more seasoned superhero, like a can of gravity, a map of the United States detailing which states are Evil and which are Good(both Colorado and New York are firmly on the side of Good. Whew!), a chart that gives the layout of any well-equipped secret lair, t-shirts, and cool masks.
They also carry back issues of Believer Magazine and books written by authors who write for McSweeneys. This is the best part about the store: in its own secret lair behind a bookshelf is the home of 826NYC, a non-profit writing center for kids ages 6-18, which was founded by Dave Eggers, among other people.
The store is staffed entirely by dedicated, good-humored volunteers who make the shopping experience fun. Before you pay for your items, you are asked to repeat a solemn oath to uphold the superhero creed which includes your superhero name. Luckily I'd spent some time thinking about this very thing in the past, so I was prepared with an answer: Worst-Case Scenario. I worry a lot.
Overall, the store has a really cool, retro Gotham City vibe that makes for a memorable experience. I love the sense of humor and altruistic intentions. It's definitely an excellent place to stop in, have some fun looking around, and support an amazing organization at the same time.
I went here with my brother (some dorky yelp elite type) and he thought it was brilliant. So did I, and you can't lose dorking out with my brother. If I were a kid I think you would have had to drag me out kicking and screaming. I have to admit I can be a little whimsical. But. BUT. This place was really fun with all the canned superhero powers and toys (I still want to go back for the air canon) and encourages goofy daydreaming. It's important to feel silly sometimes.
Heather D. has the right idea for coming up with your superhero name beforehand, my jerk brother dubbed me the tip-tapper. Laaaame. I guess that is what brothers do though.
Definitely one of the most unique stores I've ever been to.
Where else are there hand suction cups that can lift 35 lb drum barrels, an omniscient being who requires you to quote some sort of superhero oath when you checkout and a workshop that helps city kids get in touch with their creative side.
If there were more stores like these, the world would be a much better place (and we'd all be copping peeks at each other with our rear-view mirrored sunglasses).
OK, I'll lay my biases out on the table: I volunteer here. I love it.
But seriously, everyone should be able to: a) get a sense of humor and appreciate the best Superhero Supply Store in the Tri-State Area, or b) at least appreciate the fact that all proceeds go to supporting free after-school tutoring programs, writing workshops, and field trips for kids aged 7-18 (that was all my own copy).
I'll admit that this is a REALLY goofy shop, and not everyone is going to appreciate superhero supplies the same way you would if you were 9 or shopping for a Halloween custume. If night vision goggles and cans of Justice aren't your bag, however, you'll be happy to know you can get a t-shirt, tote bag, or a published book of student writing completed in one of 826's workshops.
This is a unique shop and supports a really great cause. 826 is encouraging kids to write (er... doesn't that also mean... they'll be able to continue the legacy of yelping???), and doing it all on donations, volunteer time, and proceeds from this store. Come check it out and be blown away by the excellent customer service provided by us volunteers, and make sure to check out the secret door to the back where all the tutoring and workshops happen.
I loved living around the block from this place. Not only did I feel safer, but how convenient is it to be able to pick up some more invisibility potion on my way home from work, or replace that slightly worn cape while walking the dog?
They sell an awesome map of NYC, in which Greenwood Cemetery is marked as a Zombie Habitat, among other things :)
I
FREAKING
LOVE
THIS
STORE
Come get your disguises, invisibility juice and try on a cape to see which one looks better in the the cape trying on machine with the wind thingy. An amazing front for the secret door in the back for the community writing center for Kids 18 and under. Heaven!
The best superhero supply store on the planet.
In fact, it may very well be the ONLY superhero supply store on the planet. Or at least the only one open to the public. I seem to recall a place over in Red Bank that will sell you some stuff with a claim that it allows you to leap tall buildings in a single bound, but 1) it's not a very kid friendly, and 2) I'm pretty sure the DEA shut them down.
As for those who think that $15 for a jug of invisibility potion is expensive, clearly they never tried the stuff. It's helped me sneak out of the office early on more than one occassion!
Subract one star for hiring a mere mortal as the Store clerk.
Whoever's trust fund is being squandered in the name of this ever-so-cleverness should be patted on the headstone.
Don't forget to sign the guest book (list superhero name and power)
Tar Ball - sticky testicle
If you're in NY and need an invisible jet plane, telepathy gel, a bottle of chaos, then you should stop in here. They also have have capes that you can test out in their wind tunnel (a couple janky fans and a pedestal). A lot of the serums and stuff that are for sale look like Campbell soup cans with labels slapped on, but that's not really what this place is about.
The real work goes on behind the scenes where they teach kids up to 18 writing skills.
The concept was the brainchild of Dave Eggers, who did one of the most inspiring Ted talks I've seen: http://www.ted.com/ind...
The store was much smaller than I had imagined, walking by it a zillion times over the last year. I had thought it was a place to buy things like superhero costumes and accessories, but it's a bit more gimmicky in reality. The cans of "magnetism" and "invisibilty" are certainly amusing and endearing, but....who pays $10-$15 for an empty container?? i know it funds a great writing program. but still. it's empty!
debby downer strikes again
OK so not only this is a fantastic store, but a great neighborhood group too! How can you go wrong?
Invisibility juice, capes, and a de-villianization system make for great fun for all ages, and if you have kids in the right age range, they can get help writing college essays, tutoring, etc. Now that's what I call superhero skillz!
MAAaaaNnnnnnnnnnnn.
After their unpredictable store hours finally worked out with me passing by...
Kind of disappointing.
I'm not really sure what I was expecting.
But
Kind of disappointing.
However, the poster outlining which states are evil was A+.
Promised my 10 year old sister I would be back for it/for her.
My mission was simple: assist children in their thirst for creative writing by purchasing my superhero supplies from Professor Eggers' headquarters. However, my ability to leap these Prospect Heights carriage houses in a single bound into Park Slope was put on halt due to my cape being at the dry cleaner. So, donning my civilian clothes, I whipped around Franklin Avenue to the 2/3 train where, inside, Commisioner Bloomberg's men were patrolling as I stepped into one of the cars and darted my eyes around for any evil doers lurking in the Subway tunnel as it rolled towards Grand Army Plaza.
Alas, they were no where to be found, so I jump out on to the corner of Flushing and Lincoln Place where I stealthily zig zag between children and strollers and dart with light speed past cars coming through intersections...ignoring the flashing red hand.
Traversing across stretched avenues, I'm very now aware that in between the Brownstones (so tall that one wouldn't be able to view the Bat signal from the street) Tishman's cronies were paving paradise and putting up glass and steel luxury highrises in their place. I would fight them another day I'm thinking as I take a sharp left on to 5th Avenue...stopping only to offer assistance to the elderly woman crossing 1st street or nod my cap to all the Lois Lanes walking their daschunds in Old Stone House Park. Down the street, sirens sound and fearing a distress signal I quickly make my way to the corner of 5th street and head in to the Brooklyn Superhero Supply Co.
Once inside, fellow superheroes are trying on capes....testing their velocity in the wind machine provided while an employee shouts out poses ("You're now leaping through the air!"..."Now you're posing for a reporter!"). Another couple is crafting disguises...checking each other out through metallic green sunglasses that they've picked up from a bin near the register which is hidden from view. All this while I'm eyeing cans of muscle, intelligence, and anti matter and checking the durability of an over head hanging grappling hook. I zip passed the sunglassed crusader and into a small area selling tights and utility belts. On the wall, a view portal is placed....linking store with classroom...and I find myself staring through at children...pencils in hand and books in the other...taking lessons from tutors and parents...the very best of superheroes. Looking at them I can't help but think "with great power comes great responsibility" and I'm reaching for my utility belt to acquire the necessary funds for a purchase. Sadly, someone must have slipped anti matter in my wallet and I'm staring at the empty coin purse. I'm left thinking to myself as others make purchases and recite the Vow of Heroism (conveniently placed for those who've forgotten) that neither hero or villain is any match at the moment for this thick fog of Recession which hangs over Gotham and the rest of the world.
Feeling defeated, I sprint out onto the streets again and I can see my breath matching up with the incoming Winters air. I stop at a bakery and pick up cannolis for my roommates who I imagine are sitting in their lair playing Nintendo...weak with the munchies. Peter Parker will not be invited but their delivery of Mary Jane would arrive shortly.
As I approach the 7th Avenue station, a boom of heroism surges through. I will be back. My job is not done. As mom and pop shops fall in the wake of this financial crisis, the children of tomorrow need a hero's support and the Supply Co. seeks just this by instilling the power of the written word. And all is write in the world. POW! ZOOM! ZING!
x-ray visions and invisible coats. right on! very unique store. the layout and vibe is so different customized .they design packages for all the toys in the store. every items in the store, even stupid little plastic toys you would never pay attention in the normal toy store would look super special here.
there's a "hidden" door which is revolving book shelf (!) and behind the super hero store, there's a huge tutoring room. I thought that was amazing.
***Please let me preface this review and it's subsequent rating by saying that Dave Eggers and the cause for which this storefront was constructed are both first-rate. I only hope that I too someday can have such a dramatic impact on children's lives.***
I'm not from New York. As a life-time resident of the west coast, I joined Yelp in the hopes of finding fun and interesting places of interest in my newly adopted home of Brooklyn.
After reading the majority of the reviews on Yelp, I had the impression that this place was somewhat of a Willy Wonka-esce superhero paradise. After the online discovery and pouring over the saccharine reviews, I rushed to the shop and stood on the sidewalk greatly admiring the storefront. I even dragged my boyfriend with me as he and I are huge comic book aficionados. However after shortly walking through the doors, I had the same feeling as poor Ralphie Parker had when hoping for a coveted official Red Ryder carbine-action 200-shot range model BB rifle with a compass in the stock. Instead of the BB gun, I felt I had ended up with the pink bunny pajamas Ralphie's aunt had so lovingly sewn for his gift.
Wonderful sentiment.
Very homemade.
Lovingly created.
Completely disappointing.
Not at all what I expected.
All gift-wrapping, but no gift.
This wonderful storefront and the true use of the space deserve nothing but praise and adulation.
However, walking around in a pink rabbit costume isn't my idea of fun.
5 Stars for the charity. http://826nyc.org
1 Star for the hook. http://superherosuppli...
You have to love this place, even if you're not and never have been a teenage boy.
So a lot of the merchandise is downright campy, and not really in a good way, but a lot of it is fun. Gallon jugs of invisibility, vials of omnipotence, and a giant fan to help you test out your new cape make this both a good place to get small gifts and a destination in and of itself.
But really, who cares about the shop? Ignore that it's small, cramped, and sometimes quite disorganized. The whole point of the store is to be a cover for a kids literacy program, which is a stellar cause.
Okay, people love this place and there are a ton of reviews so I'll keep this short and sweet. It's a superhero tschotke (sp?) store that supports a youth writing program that takes place behind the secret door at the back left wall. So buying a superhero supply is somewhat mandatory in my opinion if you set foot in here.
BUT, you need to think of a superhero name for yourself BEFORE you get there. Reciting the superhero oath before making a purchase is NOT optional and it's quite embarassing to fumble for words in front of an entire store full of people who all seem to stop what they are doing to listen to the purchaser recite the oath.
So I've heard.
The first time I came here, I bought a big can of EVIL as a housewarming gift for two old friends of mine. I approached the counter/platform-of-power and put my bounty into the superhero dumbwaiter (you can't make this stuff up).
Suddenly a booming voice asks, "Hello hero! What is your superhero name?"
It shocked me a bit, so my usual quick wit went down the toilet and out came, "Uh, hmmm, The Uber Dunebug."
"Hahaha, awesome! What's your superhero power?" boomed the voice again.
Empowered (superempowered) by the approval of the disembodied voice I said, "I have the lucrative ability to use the power of sand to transform cheap cans of EVIL into expensive cans of PEACE AND GOODWILL!"
Some kids coming out of the writing workshop overheard this exchange and started clapping and cheering.
I totally felt like a superhero.
I feel like a villian giving this place a lousy review. Kids literacy is a great cause, and one I very much support. The concept of BSSC is fantastic, too.
Unfortunately, this place if far from a work of staggering genius (sorry, I just couldn't resist). The store is small and doesn't really sell much of anything. A few leotards, a couple of books, some cans with various "clever" labels on them. It has a stark feel to it (could use warmer lighting) and doesn't sell enough small odds and ends to make it worth browsing for more than a couple of minutes. I am behind the cause 100%, but the pretention factor here turned me off in a big way.
In a way, this place reminded me of what I've read of Egger's writing: very smart, with good parts to it, but ultimately so smug, precious, and pleased with itself that it takes the pleasure out of the experience.
I like to think I've been allocated a reasonable number of skills for a human being. Breaking up with people effectively is not one of them.
In college, I dated this guy for about a semester. Over the summer, I had an internship in New York, and he stayed in Boston. Somewhere in the middle of the summer, I decided the relationship wasn't nearly as important to me as, say, partying, and so one weekend he came to visit, we had a great day, I capped it off with about 3 gin and tonics, and I told him I didn't want to be dating anymore.
An important lesson about breaking up is that if you want to be taken seriously, you should do it sober. Because about a month later, he came back!
He insisted on going to the Brooklyn Superhero Supply Company. I kind of felt bad for him because I had broken up with him and stuff, so I agreed that we would go on an excursion to Brooklyn and get some supplies.
We left on Saturday afternoon and took the Metro to Brooklyn. One of us had some sort of directions, but I'm pretty sure he had the wrong name or address to start with because we ended up walking, like, miles and miles uphill in the rain through Brooklyn looking for this store.
We passed block after block of pawn shops, clothing resale outposts, smelly chicken stands, and basically every chain fast food place known to man, and it soon became clear to me that no Superhero Supply Company was going to materialize. But we kept walking.
Eventually, when we were somewhere with a cemetery on one side and, like, a bus depot on the other, I decided to make an executive decision. We were going to give up, turn around and have lunch.
He said he was not hungry and also sort of insinuated that I was crazy for being hungry after walking miles uphill in Brooklyn in the rain. But I did not want to waste my entire afternoon in pursuit of superhero supplies without at least getting a toasty sandwich, so we walked back down the hill to Quizno's.
A few miles later, I was sitting at this Quizno's in Brooklyn on Saturday afternoon, wet, tired, hungry, with no superhero supplies and an ex-boyfriend across from me who refused to eat. I had pulled all the onions off my sandwich and I was just ready to take a bite when suddenly an enormous fly landed on the other end.
Did you know that flies vomit six times when they land?
So of course I reacted as one might expect a girl to do in this situation.
He countered with, "You're cute when you're mad."
It is to my credit that no one in that Quizno's died that day. Except the fly.
Oh, and no hard feelings to the Superhero Supply Company. I am sure you rock, wherever you are.
Another Dave Eggers 826 Foundation production! Located in the UBERCUTE Park Slope neighborhood of Brooklyn, this is the go-to place for all your super hero needs.
Utility belt for all your little superhero gadgets? Check.
Wall-climbing suction cups? Check.
X-Ray Vision in a bottle? Check.
Invisibility spray? Check.
Leotards? Check.
Capes? Duh.
I found this store to be even more fun than the pirate theme of 826 Valencia in the Mission District of SF. There's even a secret wall that opens up behind a shelf to get to the writing workshop in the back. Although I "get it," I still walk out just as confused as when I walked in. That Dave Eggers is one crazy mofo to come up with this stuff. Hey, it's a barrel of laughs for both locals and visitors and a wonderful cause for America's young writers.
Being a devotee of the Pirate Supply Store in San Francisco, I had high hopes for the Superhero Supply Co. (they're in cahoots) and every single one was fulfilled.
I was internal monologuing the entire visit in a quasi serious 1950's superhero announcement voice that you'd here in old super man radio shows:
"Ask inside, we can custom order alter egos"
Anything that mixes tutoring kids (it's a nation wide writing program spearheaded by Dave Eggers *sighhh) with the chimerical gets every inch of my little heart.
Me: Smiling and nodding whilst
Boyfriend: Bounding around store, picking every other box up saying "woh! I love this, look at this!!!"
Take little boys or grown up boys here to amuse themselves but you might be bored. However, it is a great cause and it's fun for about 5 mins.
First it was Pirate Supplies at 826 Valencia in San Francisco, and now it's this. If I was a kid, I'd probably skip the creative writing program in the back and hang out in the store instead. Actually, if I was in NYC right NOW I'd go and hang out there, because everyone knows that geeks want to be superheroes... and most of us could probably use some help with arch-nemesis problems and some sweet capes...
Don't you just love Dave Eggers!?!
Neighborhood: Greenpoint
Category: Bookstores
Neighborhood: West Village
Category: Bookstores
Neighborhood: Park Slope
Category: Toy Stores
Neighborhood: Williamsburg - South Side
Category: Home Decor
Brooklyn, NY
Category: Comic Books
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