Another beloved Brooklyn business is biting the dust — unless a last-minute bid to stay open is successful. Desert Island Comics announced on Instagram last week that it would be closing its doors come the end of the after its landlord almost doubled the rent.
Desert Island Comics opened at 540 Metropolitan Ave. in 2008 to acclaim for its unmatched selection of indie comics, zines, its own publications, and events. On Instagram, the business said:
“Goodbye cool world. Someone approached our landlord and offered almost double what we’re paying in rent, we have no lease, and landlord says we have to match it or vacate by January 1st 2025. Their price is untenable for our modestly successful business, and frankly it’s too much for anyone to pay. (The predatory business is a liquor store). Been hesitant to post anything alarmist because there’s too many unknowns but it’s clear a change is gonna come. Much love to you beautiful people who have shared this dream with us.”
In response to comments from supporters, Desert Island said the liquor store in question is the one already standing on the corner of Union and Metropolitan avenues, Fame Discount Liquor and Wines. The mom and pop operation has held down that corner, opposite the newly revitalized Kellogg’s Diner, for longer than Desert Island has been in business. The liquor store also has to move because the building was recently sold, a source said.
People were quick to throw their support behind Desert Island, urging them to set up a fundraiser so they could get help with the rent or find another location. Artists, customers, and other locals said they appreciate what the comic store brings to the neighborhood and are sad to see another successful local business closing following on the heels of Crest just over month ago.
“Between Crest and now Desert Island closing, it feels as if the local community is getting fully snuffed out in favor of some hollow experience of what the neighborhood once was. I know I shouldn’t be surprised because the change has unfortunately become inevitable thanks to the bad actors in charge of the city, but that doesn’t make it hurt any less every time it happens. Thank you for all that you’ve done and I hope this isn’t the end,” another wrote.
On Oct. 6, Desert Island gave in, and set up an emergency fundraiser.
“OK folks, we’ve heard you and we’re going to try to do a fundraiser so we can keep Desert Island,” store owner Gabriel Fowler wrote on Instagram. “We have until Oct. 15 to resolve the issues with our landlord.”
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A new three-year lease for Desert Island’s space will be just over $200,000, Fowler wrote on the GoFundMe page, and the business is $79,200 short. Within two days, the GoFundMe had raised more than $76,000 — 97% of its goal.
Reached via email before launching the fundraiser, Fowler said plans are still up in the air but that the store would likely shut after Christmas Eve. In the Instagram post, he said Desert Island would have to match the new rent or vacate by January 1, 2025.
“I’m in chaos mode, but at this moment it looks like my last day will be Christmas Eve, and I’ll then need to figure out how to move everything by New Years. Not looking forward to that!” Fowler said.
Reopening in a new location is also uncertain.
“Of course I want to continue, but I can’t be stupid about it and have a withering result. It may make more sense to call it a day,” he said. “The places I can reasonably afford are in worse locations deep in the neighborhood somewhere and I don’t think that would be viable. I need foot traffic and easy tourist access.”
As for the liquor store’s home at 448 Union Ave., it has been in the same hands since at least 2007, city records show. The building has been for sale on and off for several years, most recently asking $5.5 million in 2023. It has three commercial spaces and six rent-regulated apartments, including one rent controlled unit, and unused FAR that would allow a modest addition. Any sale has not yet hit public records.
Desert Island Comics opened in the Metropolitan Avenue storefront in 2008, at the time, leaving intact the store’s curved window and vintage signage from a long-gone bakery. After the bakery departed, the storefront housed an artist supply shop and then a T-Mobile store. City records show the landlord has remained the same since 1999.
At the time of the store’s opening, Fowler said he hoped to use the dramatic window space to showcase up-and-coming print artists.
“Everybody misses Crest Hardware, but at least they had a building to sell,” Fowler said, reflecting on the closing of Crest and other recent changes in the area. “I never expected to conquer New York real estate with my store, and it’s a miracle I’ve been able to hang on for 17 years. The community of artists and fans has been incredible and it’s been a pleasure to serve.”
A version of this story first appeared on Brooklyn Paper’s sister site Brownstoner.
— Additional reporting by Kirstyn Brendlen
