Walled in Magazines, Denver
Walled in Magazines is located at the back of the Black Eye Coffee shop in the north side of Denver, Colorado: it’s in an area of rapid change, with new bars and restaurants cropping up daily. The coffee shop takes its name from the rich boxing history of the community, and customers approaching the store are first greeted by a two-story mural of a moustachioed boxer fighting a kangaroo. Garage doors open up to the dusty, hot street, and as well as coffee, inside you’ll find a collection of independent magazines, which are beautifully displayed behind an old, glass refrigerator. This week we spoke with Walled in Magazines co-owner Gregory Ferrari (below, right).
When and why did you set up Walled In Magazines?
With my business partner Kaela Martin we saw a lack of import and independent magazines available in Denver. To find many of the magazines we wanted we were forced to import magazines or left wanting. I own a coffee shop in Denver called Black Eye Coffee and had space available for a small pop up shop. The marriage worked.
How do you lay out the magazines around the shop and how did you decide on that set up?
We had an existing space in the back of the shop including a vintage 1930s refrigerator. It is a very attractive place to display our magazines and we fill the remaining space with plants and other greenery. It fits our space extremely well and helps spotlight specific magazines.
Who are your customers?
Mostly customers of the coffee shop along with college students and people with interest in print.
What’s your best-seller this month?
Life and Thyme, Delayed Gratification and Mincho.
Do you have a favourite local magazine?
Fellow Magazine is one of the few local magazines with equal emphasis on content and design. They concentrate on local content and put a premium on quality over a low price.
What has the biggest challenge been?
Changing people's conception on what a magazine can be and how much they cost.
What changes have you seen in the magazines since you opened?
We have only been open for a year, but we have seen a lot of new magazines that are independent and of high quality. We have also seen that a lot of these only last for a few issues before they fizzle out.
walledinmagazines.com
3408 Navajo St, Denver, CO 80211