Category: store news

  • Please Excuse Our Mess: Quimby’s is Upgrading!

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    Hello dear lovers of all things printed. The staff at Quimby’s wants to give you an update about the goings on at the store.

    DID YOU KNOW that we’ve used the same computer operating system since 1999? Wow, yeah, I know.

    But things are quickly changing here at Quimby’s. We have brand new computers and a brand new system to ring people up, check in merchandise, monitor sales and all the other Quimbly things we do here at the store.

    WHAT DOES THAT MEAN? It means we have a lot of files to move over and a lot of work to do, as the entire staff needs to be trained to use the new system.

    For you, dear customer, it means it may take us a bit longer to ring you up, answer your questions or fulfill your mail order.

    And, dear consigner, it means it’s going to take us a while to get your new items out into the store and to pay you out for titles sold. BUT FEAR NOT. We have all your info on hand. It’s just going to take us a hot minute to transition.

    PLEASE BE PATIENT with us as we weather this exciting new phase of Quimby’s. Think of it as Quimby’s 2.0. New and improved.

    SOME THINGS TO CONSIDER: If you’re a consigner looking to check in,  get back in touch with us in July, maybe even mid-month. Have new stuff to send to the store? You’re more than welcome to still snail mail and bring stuff by in-person. But, hey, if you’re able to sit on it for a bit and give us a chance to get caught up, we’d sure appreciate it.

    We’ll still be the same Quimby’s you remembered, just a bit faster, at least once all of this is through. No, no, we don’t have a self checkout now and we don’t accept bitcoin or anything. Let’s be real, OK?

    All of these changes will help us serve you better as you shop, give you a better experience with consignment and, ultimately, make the store even more weirdly awesome, just as you like it.

    Thanks for being gentle with us. We appreciate it!

    <3 Your Favorite Quimbsters

  • Quimby's Bookstore November News & Stuff

    Screen shot 2013-11-08 at 6.54.45 PMDidn’t get the Quimby’s Bookstore November News & Stuff e-newsletter? Click here to see it.

    Then click here at quimbys.com to sign up so you never miss one.

  • 12 Weeks of Quimbas!

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    It’s almost that time of year again, when all the good little girls and boys anxiously wait to find their stockings filled the brim with zines, books and oddities. In honor of all things bright and cheery, this year Quimby’s is giving a special gift to you: Quimbas. Yes, that’s right, Christmas with a Quimb’.

     

    And what could possibly be in store for you and your’s? Each week all November  and December we’re giving a special gift to our little Quimblings. After all, you’ve been so very good this year!

     

    On Friday, November 8, Gene Gregoritis reads from Fishhook, a “literary anthology comprised entirely of status updates.” In honor of Gregoritis’ love for Facebook, we’ll be giving away FREE GRAB BAGS to any customer who can prove that they shared that day’s event and tagged Quimby’s Bookstore. Social media: truly the gift that keeps on giving. Please note: customers must be in the store to pick up their grab bags.

     

    Come back on Tuesday, November 12 for Anya Davidson’s reading and signing of School Spirits. If you don’t feel “spirited” enough afterward, take a nibble of a free Krampus Candy Cane.  But don’t gobble too quickly, little fellow. There’s a special Krampus mystery missive wrapped on that sweet treat.

     

    Got a jam-packed schedule of eating, drinking and merriment? Well, fine friend, you’ll surely want to take advantage of our sale on 2014 planners from November 25 through December 1! Take 14% off any planner to help kick your 14th year of the new millennium. Oh yeah! *Note: Customer must be in the store for this discount, and mail orders are not eligible for discount.

    Dec 6th Fri, 6-10pm – Celebrate Krampusnacht with GlitterGuts (arty Chicago photographers) here at Quimby’s. Get your picture taken with the Krampus, known to punish children during the Yule season for their misbehavior. Creep out friends and family with photos of you getting reprimanded by this traditional Germanic holiday beast. We’re here to help!

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    Stay tuned for more merry making in December.

  • Thai Comic Horrors Vol. 2 Release Event with visits to Buddhist Hell, Tropical Ghosts and Other Strangeness 7/23

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    Join Quimby’s for the release of Thai Comic Horrors Vol.2, a compilation of overlooked pulp horror comics from the Kingdom of Thailand.  Translated into English for the first time these stories offer a glimpse into folklore and superstition often unseen by outsiders.  The new issue of Thai Comic Horrors is themed around body horror and showcase stories involving Thai ghosts that share an unquenchable desire to consume fresh human intestines! For this event Logan Bay will present a slide show and lecture reflecting on the four years spent abroad. Lecture topics will include visiting Buddhist Hell parks and an introduction to Thai ghosts & superstitions.

    Artist (and former Quimby employee!) Logan Bay has created a diverse body of work over his artistic career. Past projects have included: publications, audiovisual performance, installation, graphic design and illustration. Active as a curator and organizer Logan has produced shows in New York, Chicago, & Bangkok. He is currently enrolled at Rangsit University, Thailand working towards a MFA in design.

    For more info visit: loganbay.com or loganbaybay@gmail.com

    Click here for the Facebook event invite.

    Tues, July 23rd, 7pm – Free Eventthaihor2thaicomichorrors1_lg

  • Quimby's in the Printers Row Journal of the Chicago Tribune

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    In the 5/26/13 edition. Dowload the pdf for easier reading here.

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    Thanks to the hilarious Ken Krimstein (author of the collection Kvetch as Kvetch Can) for the story!PRJ052613d

  • On & Off-Site: {CAKE} The Chicago Alternative Comics Expo 6/15-6/16

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    Quimby’s is proud to help sponsor The Chicago Alternative Comics Expo [CAKE], which is a weekend-long celebration of independent comics, inspired by Chicago’s rich legacy as home to many of underground and alternative comics’ most talented artists– past, present and future. Featuring comics for sale, workshops, exhibitions, panel discussions and more, CAKE is dedicated to fostering community and dialogue amongst independent artists, small presses, publishers and readers.

    Special guests this year include Collective Stench, Michael DeForge, Kim Deitch, Phoebe Gloeckner, Oily Comics, Charles Forsman, Melissa Mendes, Jason Shiga and more!

    Chicago Alternative Comics Expo (CAKE)
    Saturday and Sunday, June 15 & 16, 2013
    11 am – 6pm
    Center on Halsted
    3656 N Halsted
    FREE and open to the public!
    http://cakechicago.com

    Don’t miss other things going on ON THE 14th though, around the city! We’re particularly excited about DERF (My Friend Dahmer, The City) being at Quimby’s on Friday, June 14th at 9pm as well as a Comic Art Battle led by Ezra Claytan Daniels (Upgrade Soul, The Changers)!

    Also find CAKE on twitter, facebook, and tumblr.

  • Yes, We're Open!

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    Perhaps you heard the news? The restaurant next door to Quimby’s had a fire. We’ve received a lot of concerned phone calls and e-mails from folks. Thanks for showin’ the love! Thanksfully, it has not affected Quimby’s and everything is safe here in the zine stacks!

  • Joyland Magazine and Dzanc Books present The Fiction Feed: AWP Edition 3/1

    Joyland Magazine and Dzanc Books present
    The Fiction Feed: AWP Edition

    Joyland Magazine and Dzanc Books are two innovative publishers pushing fiction with great writing and new means of print and digital distribution. Join us for an evening with four writers, hailing from Chicago, New York and Vancouver. Hosted by Joyland co-founder Brian Joseph Davis and Dzanc co-publisher Dan Wickett.

    READERS

    Eugene Cross has published work in Narrative Magazine, American Short Fiction, Story Quarterly and Callaloo, among other journals. He is the recipient of scholarships from the Chautauqua Writers’ Festival and the Bread Loaf Writers’ Conference. He currently lives in Chicago. Fires of Our Choosing (Dzanc) is his first book.

    Kevin Chong is the author of four books, including his acclaimed debut Baroque-a-Nova (Penguin) and the travelogue Neil Young Nation (Douglas & McIntyre). His new novel from Arsenal Pulp is titled Beauty Plus Pity. He lives in Vancouver and is a section editor for Joyland.

    Jeff Parker is the author of the novel Ovenman (Tin House) and the story collection The Taste of Penny (Dzanc). He co-edited the anthologies Amerika: Russian Writers View the United States and Rasskazy: New Fiction from a New Russia. His nonfiction book Igor in Crisis: A Russian Journal is forthcoming from HarperCollins.

    Megan Stielstra is a writer, storyteller and the literary director for 2nd Story, Chicago’s urban storytelling series. She has performed for the Goodman Theatre, the Chicago Poetry Center and National Public Radio. She teaches in the Fiction Writing Department at Columbia College. Her debut collection of stories, Everyone Remain Calm, is now available from Joyland/ECW Press.

    For more info: joylandmagazine.com and dzancbooks.org

    Thursday, March 1, 7PM

  • Quimby’s Presents Our First 24-Hour Zine Challenge Jan 14th-Jan 15th

     

    Perhaps you were not able to participate in the 2011 Revenge of Print Challenge by getting your zine or comic out. Or perhaps you need some encouragement. Do you work well under deadlines? Perhaps you’re addicted to the adrenal rush of zine crafting?

    Well, you’re in luck.

    The 24-Hour Zine Challenge is for you. Starting Sat, 1/14 at 7pm and going until 7pm on Sun 1/15 here at Quimby’s, we invite you to come in and make your zine within 24 hours. And we’ll let you crash at our pad. By “pad” we mean on our floor.

    We’ll provide: paper, minimal scanner use, zine supplies such as a long arm stapler, some food, power strips, temporary free wifi.

    You provide: sleeping gear, ideas, stamina, your computer or typewriter (if that’s your thing)

    AND THEN! Want to read from your zine here at one of our events? On Sat, Jan 28th we’ll be having the ZINES MADE AT THE QUIMBY’S 24 HOUR ZINE CHALLENGE EVENT.

    Please RSVP to info(at)quimbys(dot)com for the 24 Hour Zine Challenge by Wed, Jan 11th.  because there is limited space available. Only RSVP’d zinesters will be allowed in the store between midnight and 6am. Visitors are welcome at all other times. The store will be open until midnight (usually we close at 10pm on Saturday nights).

    Get your New Year’s zine resolution resolved before the first month of 2012 is over.

     Sat, Jan 14th 7pm to Sun, Jan 15th 7pm

  • We Got Patches!

    Our Quimby’s logo patches are 3″ round and printed by our roller derby friends down the street at Broken Cherry.

    Heat-adhesive, 4 color beauties, for only  $5.00! They will be available on our website soon, but for now, ya gotta come in and get ’em here in person. Guess you’ll just have to come in and say hi!