On February 1st 10 stores were named as being in the running for the 2011 Harry Kremer Outstanding Canadian Retailer Award.

In order to move to the final round of consideration, the nominated retailers had to send in additional materials for the judging committee to consider by April 1st. Based on materials received, the 10 nominated stores have been narrowed down to a final 5, one of which will be selected as the Outstanding Canadian Comic Book Retailer – winner to be announced in Calgary on Saturday, June 18, 2011 where they will join an elite group of Canadian comic book stores that have earned the distinction since the award was founded in 2005: Happy Harbor Comics, Strange Adventures, Big B Comics, Legends Comics and The Beguiling.

The Retailer Award Jury will also be selecting the following awards: OUTSTANDING CANADIAN PUBLISHER and GENE DAY CANADIAN SELF-PUBLISHER.

The Harry Kremer Award for Outstanding Comic Book Retailer /Le Prix de Harry Kremer pour Détaillant Exceptionnel de Bandes Dessinées

Named after the late Harry Kremer, original owner of Now & Then Books (in Kitchener, Ontario). Shops are recommended by the general public and a separate Retailer Award Committee reviews all materials received and select a short list of stores that has shown merit in a variety of categories such as: (1) Support of a wide variety of innovative material, (2) Overall appeal of the store and usage of space, (3) Knowledge, (4) Community activity, and (5) Adherence to standard ethical business practices.

• AMAZING STORIES (Saskatoon, SK)
• ANOTHER DIMENSION COMICS (Calgary, AB)
• THE COMIC HUNTER (Moncton, NB)
• COMIC READERS (Downtown Regina, SK)
• PLANÈTE BD (Montreal, QC)

Congratulations to our five finalists!