Capital Geek Girls Ladies Night Wrap-Up

CAPITAL GEEK GIRLS AND THE COMIC BOOK SHOPPE LADIES' NIGHT

By Emily Plunkett

Although the sign said closed, confused onlookers into the Bank St. Comic Book Shoppe last Sunday saw the store buzzing with business – with one very distinct feature.

Hosted by Capital Geek Girls, the Comic Book Shoppe held its fourth ladies-only night.  The store was open after hours on August 10 for female and female-identified shoppers.  While participants browsed through the store for a special find, they could also have their fortune read by the Rune Dice, enjoy Cici and Co. donuts or participate in open gaming.

Participants Emily Drohan, Ameila Bone and Zeyna Bnourbianbachi were drawn to the event by the promise of a panel presented by Ottawa cosplayed and CGG contributor Critical Miss. They were not disappointed.

“I'm breaking out the sewing machine and I'm really bad at it,” said Bnourbianbachi, a budding cosplayer.  “I was really interested in [learning how to] save money.”

Between manicures and presentations, ladies were also treated to the ongoing August birthday sales as presented by the Comic Book Shoppe.

Store manager, Angie Kuehl says that events like girls-only shopping creates a distinct community.

“We felt the need to create a safe environment that female and female identified cliental could actually be comfortable in the space and not feel judged by knowing and not knowing [the products].” She said.

“We still get a bit of a geeky atmosphere going. There is a lot of us geek girls [around] that warrants this. It's so successful,”

Kuehl says she is unsure when the next ladies-only event will take place, but one thing is for certain, word will get out and the event will continue to grow.

“It's one of those things where there's a lot of it in Ottawa, but you’re not really aware of it, unless you're already a part of it,” said Bone.  “So it's nice to kind of get that hand that's coming out and [saying] ‘Join us, it's not that much of an insider's club.’”  

Editor's note: We would like to thank everyone  who volunteered and attended ladies night. It was a great time and we loved chatting with those of you that we met.  CGG contributor Lee A. Farruga also attended and wrote about her experiences here.  

Emily Plunkett is a recent graduate of the journalism diploma program at Algonquin College. As a freelancer, she’s written for the Ottawa Star and the Sarnia Observer. Notorious for being a Beatlemaniac, a record collector and something nobody can really put a finger on, she enjoys a good Sunday afternoon with CBC Radio chatting away, her knitting in hand and her cat, Levon, snoozing at the end of the bed.