News Photo by Steve Schulwitz Bob’s Bullpen owner Bob LeFevre puts a Mario toy on display while working at the comic book store on Thursday. Bob’s Bullpen is celebrating its 10th anniversary today with a day of activities.

ALPENA — When Bob’s Bullpen owner Bob LeFevre reflects back on the humble beginning of his business, he said he never would have expected it would grow the way it has.

Now, the Bullpen includes a connected restaurant and an arcade that is named Two Bit Operation as a tip of the cap to the former arcade that was popular in the 1980s and early 1990s in Alpena.

Today, Bob’s Bullpen is celebrating its 10th anniversary.

Despite the business successes, LeFevre still has big plans for Bob’s Bullpen and is looking to expand its reach.

On Thursday, LeFevre took a walk back in time and reflected on the humble beginnings of the comic book store, the birth of the restaurant and arcade, and the struggle to stay afloat when the regulations for the COVID-19 pandemic forced him to close.

Despite the ups and downs, LeFevre said he is in awe at what the business has become since the day he first opened.

“I never, by any means, thought it would grow to what it has,” he said. “I really wanted to do something special. I have been a fan of the comic book and video business since I was a little kid, and I just love operating the comic book store and everything that comes with it.”

LeFevre said it wasn’t long after the comic book store opened when he began considering opening a small restaurant that would be attached to the shop. He said the restaurant would provide a diversified revenue stream and add another food option for people downtown. Little did he know at the time, the restaurant may have saved the comic store from going out of business.

“In my mind and the way I looked at it, people always have to eat,” he said. “That decision was something that proved to save us during COVID because we could still get food out, while the retail part was shut down. It turned out people still wanted things to read too, so we just ran out the books to them with their food.”

The nostalgia and popularity for old video games, arcades, and old comic books have also proved to be a plus for all of LeFevre’s businesses. He said once the restaurant was established, he decided to add on the arcade. He said he did some research to see if the Two Bit Operation name was available again, and it was, so he set the plan in motion to add an arcade downtown.

“Having grown up in Alpena, going to Two Bit was a big part of my childhood, and I sort of wanted to recreate that,” he said. “The name had gone back into the public domain, so I snagged it up right away. The original owner of Two Bit actually stopped by, and we took pictures together. I thought that was pretty cool.”

As he did in the growth of his current businesses, LeFevre still has his eye on the future and other goals he wants to accomplish. He said for years, he has been working toward growth outside of Alpena and has much of what he needs to open another store on hand. Realtors around Michigan are looking for a storefront for him, and he hopes a new Bob’s Bullpen in another market will become a reality.

“Basically, I’m creating a replica of my store, and when I order things, I order double what I want, and it’s all been put into storage,” LeFevre said. “I basically have a twin of my store in storage, from the arcade machines to all of the merchandise I have. Realtors are keeping an eye out for something for me, so the goal is to expand and become a chain.”

LeFevre didn’t want to tip his hand on where a new store or stores could pop up next, but vowed to let everyone know when a new development happens.

From day one, LeFevre has given back to the community. Besides Free Comic Book Day, he hosts other events, is a sponsor of local events and charities, and has assisted with the annual comic con events and marched in local parades.

He said lending a hand and creating fun things to do for families is something he intends to do moving forward.

“I wouldn’t have any of this if it wasn’t for the community,” he said. “Giving back to the community was something my mom and dad instilled in me, and I enjoy doing it.”

Today, Bob’s Bullpen is celebrating its 10th anniversary. There will be day-long events, specials, and prices at the comic book store. Saturday is also Free Comic Book Day, and LeFevre will make sure his customers don’t leave the store empty-handed.

He said people who dress up in costumes will be eligible for prizes, and there will be drawings for prizes too. Also, LeFevre said, there will be a 25-foot Mario displayed outside the store for people to get photographs with. The anniversary event will begin when the store opens at 11 a.m. and wraps up at 5 p.m.

LeFevre said people who take a picture of the huge Mario and share it on social media will receive a free hour in the arcade.

Steve Schulwitz can be reached at 989-358-5689 or sschulwitz@TheAlpenaNews.com. Follow him on X @ss_alpenanews.com.