Treasured indie comic book publisher Silver Sprocket is abruptly closing its storefront on Valencia Street, about six years after moving into the space previously operated by 1-2-3-4 Go! Records. Its last day in business is Monday, owner and publisher Avi Ehrlich announced in an Instagram post over the weekend.
“The unfortunate reality is that even with the positive response to our membership drive, difficult staff cuts, and every other action we could think of, the store continues to lose money each month,” they wrote. “To offset the drop in sales over the past three years, I have been supporting the store by taking on personal debt. Personal debt has never been sustainable, and I’m well past the end of the road for what I can take on.”
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Known for its focus on queer, punk and political storytelling, Silver Sprocket has long been sought out as a hub for zinemaking, readings, shows and drawing nights. According to Ehrlich, the store that previously operated out of two locations on Haight Street had been breaking even until about 2023. But Silver Sprocket was not immune to the challenges plaguing the Mission District retail corridor, which they said has long been among the most expensive in the city. Rising rents pricing out the DIY publisher’s core clientele may have dealt the final blow, but ultimately, adding reduced foot traffic, fewer tourists and lower sales to its already razor-thin margins “made it impossible for the retail store to sustain itself,” Ehrlich wrote…