Quimby's
Quimby's Bookstore is an independently owned bookstore that specialises in independently published and small press books, zines and comix. There are now two branches, the original located at 1854 W. North Ave, Chicago, IL 60622. The phone number is 773-342-0910. A second branch opened in New York City in 2017.
The philosophy of the store is best summed up by a sign that hangs on the wall at the front of Chicago's store. It says: "Specialists in the importation, distribution, and sale of unusual publications, aberrant periodicals, saucy comic booklets and assorted fancies as well as a comprehensive miscellany of the latest independent 'zines' that all the kids have been talking about."
Quimby's was opened in 1991 by Steven Svymbersky (former publisher of Quimby Magazine) on Damen in Wicker Park. According to the FAQ on the store's website, Svymbersky said of the store, "I really want to carry every cool - bizarre - strange - dope - queer - surreal - weird publication ever written and published and in time Qvimby's will. Because I know you're out there and you just want something else, something other, something you never even knew could exist." In 1997, Svymbersky sold the store to Eric Kirsammer, the owner of Chicago Comics, who later moved the store to its current home on North Avenue. Originally, the store was known as Quimby's Queer Store, but now is just called Quimby's. Svymbersky went on to open Quimby's NYC in 2017.
Many of the zines that Quimby's sells are sold on consignment. Zinesters and comix artists can find the consignment form on the Quimby's web site. Quimby's also offers online ordering and hosts events such as zine readings, book releases, and signings.
Liz Saidel Mason is the Chicago store's manager since 2001. The store does a weekly New Stuff Saturdays live stream on Instagram at 11:30 AM CT showcasing new zines and stock in that week.
Chicago Comics
The sister store of Quimby's is Chicago Comics, located at 3244 N Clark, Chicago, IL 60657.
Zines about Quimby's
Ever evolving bastion of freakdom: a Quimby's bookstore history in words and pictures is an anthology zine of the history of Quimby's. One edition is the ashcan edition, published in 2016. It can be purchased at the Quimby's website.
