SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) - Eric Anderson woke up at 4 a.m. to a call that his store, 217 Comics, Cards, & Games, was burglarized by two men. They stole a large bag of merchandise, the value of which was several thousand dollars.

"I own everything in the store and I think anytime somebody gets something stolen or getting your stuff broken into it, you take it very personally and I know many of my employees took it personal too," said Anderson. "It is very tragic for all of us, just to feel violated and unsafe." 

While the store has increased their security measures, the emotional impact of the burglary runs deep. The comic shop is usually a safe space for the regular customers and staff, who are trying not to let the break in impact them. 

"The community kind of took it personal too, because this is their safe space," said Anderson. "This is a place where nerd people can come in and enjoy their hobbies and feel accepted and we're a very inclusive environment, we're accepting to everybody and people don't want to lose that." 

Unlike larger stores, Anderson has to pay for all of his merchandise upfront, instead of once an item is sold. This means he has to take on the cost for all of the stolen goods. While that would impact any business, for a brick and mortar shop struggling with increased costs, the lost revenue is painful. 

"We operate on such a small, gross percentage and people just don't understand that," said Anderson. "The cost of operating, wages are so much more now than they used to be and the utilities and and so forth, that it's really hard for brick and mortar to survive when you take losses like that." 

He says this is why supporting small businesses is so critical. He employs only local employees who spend their money in Springfield, so each dollar spent has a bigger impact. 

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