Right off U.S. 441 and sandwiched between an old neighborhood and a dance studio sits Docking Bay 94 — a hole-in-the-wall comic book shop on the outskirts of western Boca Raton with a glowing reputation.

Located at 7710 NW 56th Way, the store sees an influx of new customers every couple of months due to its proximity to Florida Atlantic University’s Boca Raton campus. With an approximately 25-minute travel time, the store is the closest comic book shop to the university.

A string of bright red letters rests above the doorway announcing the store’s specialty — comics and games.

Neon signs of the Superman, Batman and Green Lantern symbols adorn the windows along with a flashing sign advertising coffee within. The doors are plastered with promotional posters for upcoming comic book and gaming events.

“[The store] was originally called ‘Lost Realms’ when I had bought it,” owner John Miller said.

Miller’s love of comics stretches back to his childhood. “I’ve been in love with them since I was a kid, buying them from the local drugstore on the spin rack,” he said.

In the 1990s, Miller worked part time for Past, Present, Future – a local chain of comic book stores. “I was the guy that would help pick up the comics, bring them to the store [and] help them go through them.”

In 1998, he seized the opportunity to buy a store from his boss. Ten years later, Miller changed the name from Lost Realms to Docking Bay 94 and moved the shop to its current location.

Named after a location in the film series “Star Wars,” Docking Bay 94 hosts a variety of weekly events ranging from gaming tournaments to clubs dedicated to discussing comics.

Classic rock is often heard pouring through the speakers of a television hanging above the boxes of comics priced at $1. On occasion, science fiction and superhero films play as background noise.

A variety of snacks and refrigerated drinks are made available for purchase, as well as fresh coffee.

Inside the store, three rows of tables stretch from the door to the counter. Each week, gamers young and old gather at these tables to play rounds of “Dungeons and Dragons” and “Magic: The Gathering.”

FAU English major and former employee Jonathan Rukes joined the Docking Bay staff in July 2011 and served as the store’s chief organizer of events and gaming tournaments.

“Docking Bay really has this strong sense of community … It kind of developed this ‘Cheers’ type of scenario,” said Rukes.

“There were some nights where I wouldn’t get out of there until 1 a.m. or 2 a.m.,” said Rukes. “It was just a real challenge working that late and then having to be in class the next day at like, 10 or 11 a.m.”

Along the walls are shelves trimmed with a wide variety of comics, as well as unopened action figures. Highly sought-after comics are displayed behind the counter and protected by a glass case.

The wall to the left of the entrance is covered by an expansive collection of graphic novels, ranging from “Archie” to “Y: The Last Man.” The right hand wall is split into two sections: new releases and recent back issues.

Like many comic book shops, Docking Bay 94 offers a subscription service that allows customers to reserve copies of their favorite comic book titles. Subscribers are rewarded with a 10 percent discount off their purchases.

According to Christian Bean, a local GameStop employee and customer at the store for roughly three years, the discount isn’t what keeps customers coming back.

“I go in, I’m greeted by name … I get my books … It’s a small-store feel and I like that,” said Bean.

James Whynot, a comic creator and patron of Miller’s store for over 14 years, said, “I like the feel of it that it is local and kind of like a community … from this place that’s not that big, but tries to bring people together.”

Docking Bay 94 is a carrier of Whynot’s “Bolts” comic series and hosted signing events and a midnight release party when the first issue went on sale. The title has proven to be popular among readers, with the second issue selling out.

“They were right by the neighborhood I lived by, so I would take my bike as a kid over there … After college, I started coming back,” said Whynot.

Although competing with the recognition and variety of local comic chain behemoths like Tate’s and Past, Present, Future, the store maintains a strong and loyal clientele.

“The problem with Tate’s and Past, Present, Future is that they’re bigger … [The customers] are overshadowed by the overall profit and the overall size and the scope of the store,” said Bean. “What makes Docking Bay different is that it is smaller … but they’ll do whatever they can to work with you to get you what you need.”

Mario Bennese is a contributing writer with the University Press. For information regarding this or other stories, email [email protected] or tweet him @Mariofanofsteel.