Aprroximately 110 miles later, I was cruising through some beautiful countryside looking for 103 Bantam Lake Road. I missed the turn once, but only wasted a few minutes correcting my mistake, and soon found myself parked in front of the unassuming facade of "My Mother Threw Mine Away". Upon entering the store, which was full of stuff (very much like its original incarnation), I wandered to the back where a guy was working with some boxes of comics. "Is your name Jack?" I asked him. It was, and he recognized me from all those years ago. (Actually, come to find out during our subsequent conversation that we had met again at a show in Philadelphia several years back -- something I had forgotten completely. Not an unusual experience for me at busy shows.)
Jack and I chatted for a while, catching up on what we'd been doing. I learned that "My Mother Threw Mine Away" had actually moved twice before, to different locations in Torrington.
He showed me his two Saint Bernards -- I think he said their names were "Little" and "Trouble". Here they are posing with Jack in front of his store.
I took some photos inside in the front half of the store and put them together in this panoramic view.
I didn't realize until I got home and looked at the photos that the panorama is bracketed by some TMNT products. Can you pick them out? There's another whole sizable room in the back, packed with boxes of comics... a lot of stuff to look through.
Jack and I discussed a possible signing at his store sometime this year, probably in the summer. I mentioned that I might be able to get a few of the Mirage dudes to come with me, and he was into the idea. -- PL
