The World of Comics Is Action Packed At Tim’s Corner
Tim’s Corner began with an act of kindness, and 34 years later, the Rock Island comic book shop, at 2963 14th Ave., is still providing a fun, warm environment for comic book fans to hang out, chat and pick up their favorite comics.
“My brother was in the hospital in Davenport with a minor stroke, and he had always been into comics, so I picked him up some comic books and every day I would get him books and go hang out with him,” said Tim Cederoth, owner and comics sensei at Tim’s. “I was between positions, I’d just been let go at IH, and I would go to this shop in Moline to get them. I found out that the owners wanted to sell the store and the stock.
“One day I was driving by this place here in Rock Island and noticed it was available, CoOp Records used to be here and they were moving, so I thought, why not?”
That “why not?” has led to a wonderful and colorful life for Tim, a truly amiable sort who gently holds court on an array of characters of all ages at his shop, day by day, giving it a great, fun environment.
Tim’s began as a combination of video game arcade and pinball emporium, comic book shop, paperback book exchange and coney hot dog palace.
“I did that for nine-and-a-half years, then got tired of chopping onions, and eventually it just became a comics shop,” Cederoth said. “I’ve enjoyed it a lot. I’ve met and have so many friends because of this shop. I’ve been super happy to be blessed with this and I feel very fortunate to have this place, and to have a wife, Sally, who has been very understanding about my passion for this.”
Cederoth has been with comics through a lot of ups and downs over the last three-plus decades, through the explosion of indie and underground titles, the over-saturation and correction of the market and the resurgence due to the popularity of the Marvel and DC movie franchises.
“I think comics are always going to be appealing, because they’ve got a hero that always wins in the end, and I think people need that,” Cederoth said. “I think people really enjoy reading fantastic stories that give them a good guy and a bad guy and it feels good to see the good guy emerge triumphant.
“Someday I’ll have to retire, and when I do I’ll probably play a lot of golf, I enjoy playing sports, but I love what I do and I love being here in my shop,” he said. “It’s my clientele that make all the difference. Some people have been coming here for over three decades. Some people are college students at Augie or kids who are just getting into comics. They enjoy coming in and meeting people with the same interests and talking about comics and just hanging out. It’s just a fun place to be. It’s easy here. I’ve been to some comic shops and the people are kind of mean or sarcastic or not very welcoming. That’s not the case here. Everyone is welcome.”
His longtime clients agree.
“I love coming here, it’s great and Tim is a really good guy,” said Matt Brandel of Danville, who has been making his weekly trip to Tim’s for over 30 years. “So many dealers have such a bad attitude and there isn’t that personal connection, but not Tim. He’s always nice and helpful. It’s a great place to be.”
“It’s just a fun place to hang out,” agreed Jerry Wallaert, who has likewise been coming to Tim’s for quite some time. “They’re good people here.”
Cederoth continues to relish that role in bringing people together.
“I like to think over the years I’ve been like a teacher here, helping kids get into reading, helping people get to know each other, having discussions about comics and reading and sports,” Cederoth said. “I’ve enjoyed every minute of it. I’ve been a very lucky man.”
Tim’s Corner
2963 14th Ave
Rock Island, IL 61201
(309) 794-0333
