October 9, 2024, 1:14pm
Image from Desert Island’s fundraiser.
Here’s some good news to brighten your Wednesday: after being threatened with eviction, beloved indie comic shop Desert Island raised nearly $90,000 in three days to keep the shop in business.
The outpouring of support from Desert Island’s community of shoppers, fans, and artists is a testament to how essential the shop has become. The 16-year-old store and its owner Gabe Fowler are an oasis in New York for comics, art, events, and weird, beautiful window displays.
Recently the Brooklyn store’s landlord alerted Gabe that the liquor store down the street wanted to buy out Desert Island’s lease, offering to pay more in rent. The landlord gave the store a deadline to match that higher rent, or vacate.
But in just a few days, Desert Island was able to raise more than enough money to keep the shop open. The funds will go towards a renewed lease, or moving and building out the shop in a new location — I would also feel a bit shaky about sticking with this landlord.
And as a fun wrinkle, Gabe added on the GoFundMe page that “with money in excess of our goal, we’ll edit and publish a free comics anthology in which all the artists get paid.” That’s community, baby!
It’s a happy ending, and we wish Desert Island many more years of business. And with rents going up everywhere, there’s never been a better time to visit your local comic shop: Desert Island in Brooklyn, The Million Year Picnic in Cambridge, Floating World in Portland, The Beguiling in Toronto, Atomic Books in Baltimore, or Secret Headquarters in LA. Support your local shops!