WICKER PARK — The longtime proprietor of Quimby’s is looking it quits after a long time on the helm of the enduring Wicker Park bookstore — however he hopes another person will keep it up its legacy.
Proprietor Eric Kirsammer instructed Block Membership that the choice to promote the shop at 1854 W. North Ave. was not a simple one, however he felt the time had come. He stated the choice was made barely simpler when longtime Quimby’s retailer supervisor Liz Mason shared her plans to maneuver on as effectively.
“I’ve owned [Quimby’s] for 28 years, and it’s time to show it over to any individual who can preserve the concept and the mission of the shop going,” Kirsammer stated. “The opposite large issue is Liz is leaving … and we’re sort of a group. A part of me doesn’t need to do it with out her.”
Quimby’s first opened on September 15, 1991, at Evergreen and Damen avenues, based by Steven Svymbersky. Svymbersky ran the Primal Plunge, a retailer with a similiar vibe, in Boston earlier than bringing Quimby’s into the burgeoning arts-and-culture scene in ’90s Wicker Park. Svymbersky’s mission was to “carry each cool – weird – unusual – dope – queer – surreal – bizarre publication ever written and printed.”
Svymbersky offered the unique retailer to Kirsammer in 1996, however quickly after the owner introduced he was promoting the constructing. Kirsammer then bought a former portray and contracting firm’s workplace and warehouse on North Avenue and introduced Quimby’s to its present dwelling.
Because the proprietor of Chicago Comics, 3244 N. Clark St., since 1991, Kirsammer had some concept of what he was in for. Some crossover existed between the 2 shops — each carry comics and zines, as an example — however Quimby’s was a brand new dimension of free expression for him, he stated.
Whereas Quimby’s 1500 sq. toes of house holds quite a lot of objects — together with the standard bookstore fare like postcards, posters, patches, buttons and presents — it’s better-known for carrying self- and independently printed books, graphic novels and zines, some overlaying topics not usually present in your common bookstore.
A short look at Quimby’s webstore reveals titles like “The Anarchist Overview of Books,” “Let’s Make Bread! A Comedian Ebook Cookbook,” the newest problem of “Butt” journal and “Bubbles,” described as an “Impartial Fanzine About Comics And Manga.”
“I had some trepidation, however I knew what the Quimby’s mission was, which was all concerning the First Modification and a free press … I felt very strongly about that,” he stated.
Kirsammer has had assist sustaining the Quimby’s mission, notably from Mason, who has been the shop supervisor for greater than 20 years. Mason was drawn to Quimby’s initially as a writer of zines herself.
“I used to be like, ‘That is the very best place on the planet. I’d like to work right here. Are you hiring?’” she recalled asking earlier retailer supervisor Hannah Tashijian. Mason was employed after which grew to become Quimby’s supervisor when Tashijian left in 2003. She describes the job as an ongoing studying expertise that helped her “discover ways to be an grownup,” however having lately turned 50, she’s on the lookout for her subsequent problem, she stated. Probably one thing in library and data science, a profession path taken by 4 different former Quimby’s staff.
As for the longer term, each Mason and Kirsammer hope the shop finds a brand new proprietor who’ll honor its previous whereas making certain its future. Kirsammer stated he’s particularly pleased with the truth that many inventive individuals selected to deliver their first printed works to the shop, recalling the intensive roster of each well-known and little-known artists, writers, cartoonists and different creators who’ve handed by way of Quimby’s through the years.
Whereas different impartial bookstores within the space have confronted robust competitors through the years — together with from a new Barnes & Noble within the neighborhood — Quimby’s DIY model nonetheless units it aside.
Quimby’s is “one thing that would solely exist in a couple of locations within the nation,” Kirsammer stated. “And it served its function, particularly within the ’90s, the place it was this bastion of free expression.
“It’s a retailer that has performed an vital half within the literary tradition of Chicago, and the nation, for some time. It deserves a critical proprietor to take it to the subsequent step.”
Kirsammer stated he isn’t promoting the constructing, so potential store patrons would hire the house from him. Events concerned with persevering with the shop’s mission of supporting the small press and impartial creators — the “primary precedence,” in Kirsammer’s phrases — are invited to contact information@quimbys.com.
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