Continuing the dream: Family pulls together to keep The Paper Escape going

DIXON – The Paper Escape was a dream for Dan Smith. In the wake of his death, his family is striving to keep the dream alive in his honor.

The shop at 205 W. First St. in downtown Dixon offers an array of comics, card games, role-playing games, board games, collectibles, models and more.

Dan bought the store from longtime owners Thomas and Nancy McClain in January 2019.

"It was always a dream of Dan's; he loved games and comics and all that comes along with it," said Dan's wife, Kerri.

It was a good first year, even when coronavirus restrictions were starting to come down on businesses,

Then, on April 25, the 52-year-old Navy veteran and father of four died of a pulmonary embolism. He left behind Kerri, their son, Alex, and three daughters: Michala Smith of Dixon and Samantha and Cheyenne Smith, both of Sterling.

"Every morning is a trial," Kerri said. "It's just hard to lose your best friend."

Kerri switched from working full time to part time as a housekeeper at CGH Medical Center to keep the store going. It's now open 3 days a week instead of 5.

"We hope to continue Dan's dream and keep it going in his honor," she said. "Dan was a great guy with a dream, he served his country proudly and he's very missed."

Things are going well, and there's a core group that's very supportive of The Paper Escape, but Kerri is a bit worried about what the winter will bring.

"We muddle through; It's all you can really do," she said.

Samantha graduated from Dixon High School "class of COVID-19", and recently started at Sauk Valley Community College, where she plans to study business to help take care of The Paper Escape.

The coronavirus pandemic has presented challenges – they weren't able to have a graduation celebration for Sam or military honors for Dan – but they did host a celebration of life.

They're also continuing to host table-top game nights at the store, which was very important to Dan.

With so many people immersed in video games and online play, you can miss out on the personal side of gaming, of being face-to-face, Kerri said.

The store has a rich history in Dixon.

The McClains opened The Paper Escape in 1981 as a used bookstore and added comic books and gaming a few years later, continuing to grow with collectibles, statues, models, costumes, and more.

Dan took over after the McClains decided to close the book on being business owners.

About 25 years before that, Dan, of Preemption, a small community south of the Quad Cities, found out the gaming store he went to was for sale, but they weren't in a position to make it work at the time.

"This really was his dream," she said.

A gofundme was established for Sam's tuition and expenses at Sauk, as well as any emergencies at the store. Find it at gofundme.com/f/college-tuition-for-sammy-smith to donate.

The Paper Escape is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesday and Saturday and from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday. Call 815-284-7567, go to paperescape.com or find it on Facebook for more information.