Chris Cortez - Alternate Universe
This week, I went in to photograph Chris Cortez, the owner and founder of Echo Park’s premiere comic book store, Alternate Universe. I’ve taken pictures of Chris in the past and he’s always been a good sport so it made sense to shoot him for Businesses on the Boulevard.
In conversing with Chris, I learned he has a background in franchise advertisement and marketing, and worked in said industry for years but his interests took him elsewhere. Opening a comic book store had been on his mind for quite some time but only about three years ago did it manifest as Alternate Universe– a genuine work of entrepreneur’s passion, and quite literally so much more.
For the longest time, Echo Park lacked a “jack of all trades” shop that provides comics, collectables, toys, board games, cards, posters, and a small selection of refreshments in a cool (no pun intended) sci-fi mini fridge, especially great for those scorching LA summers of course. You’d have to go a few miles in different directions for each product but Chris has since filled the niche in the market.
I don’t particularly indulge in comic book culture too often but I’ve bought a few games and posters from Chris, which serve quite well as last minute birthday gifts for the friends that do indulge. It doesn’t take much effort either since everything along the walls and shelves are organized quite neatly and clutter-free.
All in all, many community members and I have expressed the convenience of a store like this in Echo Park and consider it to be part of what makes the neighborhood a pretty cool place to hang out nowadays. In 2017, Echo Park is known for having too many cafes, coffee shops, and boutiques to count so it’s nice to see something a little different.
That being said, here’s to many more years of the one and only, Alternate Universe.
Alternate Universe
1498 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026
https://www.facebook.com/altversela/
@altversela