New York City’s Forbidden Planet is, like many direct market comic book retailers around the country, closed due to coronavirus. But with expenses mounting and revenue essentially frozen, the store is turning to GoFundMe to raise the money to stay open for business.
“Since the beginning of the current crisis, myself and others have worked from home to help maintain the store’s business and customer relationships and organize a way to come back from all of this,” reads the campaign information posted by general manager Jeff Ayers. “The sad truth of the matter is that nothing will be the same for some time, but we need to ensure that FPNYC is in a position to reopen when the time comes. To do that we are humbly asking for your assistance in keeping FPNYC on its feet.”
“We’ve gone a month with zero revenue coming in and massive expenses going out. Rent, utilities, and other bills have added up quickly. The cost of doing business in New York City is astronomical, especially in a ground floor location off Union Square,” the statement continues. “We’ve recently turned our website back on for mail order, but honestly this will yield just a small portion of what is needed to keep us viable. Even when we’re able to open again we will face enormous challenges amidst the continuing epidemic. We want all of our staff to have a job waiting for them when the quarantine is lifted, and of course their safety and that of our customers will be of paramount concern. We understand that things are tough and other good causes in this time of need abound, but we ask that you help in any way you can. Even if it’s just by sharing this campaign.”
Several notable comic creators and industry figures have contributed to the fundraiser, including Klaus Janson, Brian Hibbs, Brandon Montclare, Drawn & Quarterly, W. Maxwell Prince, Robert Venditti, Victoira McNally, Vita Ayala, Calvin Reid, Ram V, Charles Forsman, Nadia SHammas, Annie Koyama, Lloyd Kaufman, Charles Soule, Greg Pak, and Thomas Pitilli.
The entire statement can be read on the campaign page, right here. To date, the effort has raised $15,980 of its $300,000 goal.