Panel 1: Depicts the outside of Quimby’s Bookstore.
Panel 2: A shot of people browsing zines and conversing. A Quimby’s mouse sits on someone’s shoulders.
Narration: The comics and self-publishing community in Chicago is thriving. Countless zine fests and community gatherings flourish. At the heart of it, one longstanding landmark contributes: Quimby’s.
Panel 3: A pair of Quimby’s mice sit on a bookshelf filled with comics and zines.
Narration: Quimby’s opened its doors in 1991, and quickly became a hotspot for creators of zines, comics, and anything the like. Its shelves are a living archive of DIY culture, filled with local artists’ work and unique voices.
Panel 4: Two boys are holding books. One looks concerned and asks the other:
“Wait!! Sooo, anyone can contribute to Quimby’s?”
Narration: Yes! Anyone can bring their work in to sell. It is a true hub for new or established creators.
Panel 5: A wide panel featuring two different scenes. The first scene depicts the front desk of Quimby’s, with an employee talking to a customer. The second scene depicts two hands exchanging a key.
Narration: Last winter, Quimby’s longtime owner, Liz Mason, stepped down from management. This left the self-publishing community worried about losing a beloved cornerstone. However, fellow zinesters and creators stepped in. In April of 2025, Peter Bergman and Cody Kasselman bought the establishment to continue its mission.
Panel 6: A panel depicting Peter Bergman. Who has long blonde hair and glasses. The panel is wrapped in a floral border.
He says: “I want to try and facilitate what already exists, not invent something new. It’s very loved.” – Peter Bergman
Narration: Peter graduated from SAIC in 2007 with an MFA in Viscom. After working as a professor, he saw Quimby’s as an opportunity for something new. He and his business partner, Cody Kasselman, aim to grow Quimby’s community support, by offering risograph printing and in-store events, and supporting local zine fests.
Panel 7: The Quimby’s logo.
Narration: Quimby’s is an incredibly important landmark for self-publishers. It has resisted modernity and curated itself upon the creations of local artists. It’s here to stay, and you can keep it thriving!
[End]
