A popular comic book shop is asking for financial help from its supporters to keep doors open after the new year.
Desert Island Comics, the Williamsburg-based store that focuses on underground and alternative art books, graphic novels, and comic books, started a GoFundMe page over the weekend to raise the remaining funds needed to renew a lease.
“It’s difficult to swallow our pride and ask for your assistance, but many people have said they don’t want to lose this resource,” owner Gabe Fowler wrote on GoFundMe. “If you’ve ever benefited from our existence, learned about a favorite artist, found an amazing book, or had fun at one of our free events, please consider kicking in a buck or two. Your support allows us to continue to serve and support the international art underground.”
The outpouring of support came swiftly: By Monday afternoon, more than $65,000 had been raised.
“It’s unbelievably life-affirming to see the beautiful community who cares about what we’ve built together with Desert Island,” Fowler wrote in an email to Brooklyn Magazine. “I hope to do right by them and continue to serve.”
The creation of the GoFundMe comes, as Fowler announced last week via the store’s Instagram account, that it would close at the end of the year after the landlord terminated the lease.
“Goodbye cool world. Someone approached our landlord and offered almost double what we’re paying in rent, we have no lease, and landlord says we have to match it or vacate by January 1st 2025,” the post said. “Their price is untenable for our modestly successful business, and frankly it’s too much for anyone to pay. (The predatory business is a liquor store). Been hesitant to post anything alarmist because there’s too many unknowns but it’s clear a change is gonna come. Much love to you beautiful people who have shared this dream with us.”
The store, which is located at 540 Metropolitan Avenue, opened its doors in 2008. Since then it’s become the go-to spot for comic lovers to find independent and self-published works. The store also publishes a quarterly comics anthology titled Smoke Signal and have been the masterminds behind the Comic Arts Brooklyn festival.
“I regularly sent my Pratt students on field trips to Desert Island. A crucial NYC resource,” artist Leslie Roberts commented on the Desert Island post.
Fowler said on the GoFundMe page that in order to secure a new three-year lease he needed to raise $79,200 to hit a $201,600 goal by Oct. 15.
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“These are projected amounts based on our current ability to pay vs. actual projected rent,” Fowler said. “Full disclosure: There is a chance that we could move to a new location, and in that case, these funds would finance the transition, build-out, and new lease.”
In 2017, Brooklyn Magazine named Fowler a “Brooklyn 100 Influencer.” In his interview Fowler said working with artists was the most fulfilling part of his job. He also said at the time that a major challenge was New York City rent prices.
“The rent is too goddamned high!” he said. “It’s hard to be a creative person in this world, especially in New York where the landlords are constantly turning the screws.”
The post Desert Island Comics in Williamsburg has launched a GoFundMe to save the store appeared first on Brooklyn Magazine.
