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The new space will offer a larger zine library, event space, and storefront starting mid-March. By WASTED INK March 16, 2025  Charissa Lucille of Wasted Ink Zine Distro in their new store location on McDowell Rd. Downtown Phoenix art and publishing hub Wasted Ink Zine Distro is expanding into a space three times the size of its previous location. Charissa Lucille, the owner of the popular creative shop, announced plans in February to move and expand at a new location, 323 W McDowell Rd, starting March 19 with the regular hours of Wednesday through Sunday, 11-6p. In a video posted to Instagram by Lucille, the new space will be “in the building directly next door to Paper Jam + Print,” a colorful collaborative print studio Lucille opened in 2022 that houses three presses, Wasted Ink Publishing, SATURNHEX, and Shut Eye Press. According to Lucille, Wasted Ink’s vast network of supporters over the past 10 years helped pave the way for the expansion.  Wasted Ink Zine Distro's new storefront and event space on McDowell Rd. How Wasted Ink became a downtown Phoenix favorite Since opening in 2015, Wasted Ink Zine Distro has offered more than just a storefront, regular art shows, and one of the largest zine libraries in the Southwest. The space has also become a gathering spot for a creative crowd, hosting open mics, collage events, zine workshops, typewriter nights, markets, eclectic events like “Exquisite Zine Corpse” and crafting sessions. Wasted Ink Zine Distro also hosts the annual Phx Zine Fest, which will celebrate its 9th year in the fall and in 2024 had 800 people attend over two days. “When I first opened Wasted Ink ten years ago, I thought it would be a small community project where 10 people would come and read zines on the weekends. I never thought we'd be expanding our distro directly next to our print shop,” Lucille said. “It’s what Phoenix really needs, so I want to extend a huge thanks to the entire team, our network of supporters, and the overall Phoenix community. What a great way to celebrate 10 years!" Lucille said the expanded store and community space will house more zines for sale, a larger zine library, and a robust calendar of weekly events. Lucille said local journalist and writer, Amy Silverman, will be hosting her brand “Paper” in Wasted Ink and will be holding monthly writing workshops. "Over the past 10 years, Wasted Ink has grown into a large community-driven project because of all the wonderful supporters and visitors," Lucille said. "And now we're giving that back to the community in big ways."  Wasted Ink's Reading Library contains over 2,000 zines available for reading and enjoying for free onsite at the new McDowell Rd location. Expansion: Renovations & People Wasted Ink Zine Distro is set to reopen on March 19 in a 750-square-foot suite along McDowell Road between 5th and 3rd Avenue. To prepare for the expansion, the building needed renovations, including tearing down a wall, resurfacing four walls, replacing lights and ceiling tiles, and installing new floors. Colorful murals were designed and painted by local artists Liv Barney and Theo Quest, custom zine stands were built, and team WIZD sourced many bookcases for the library area. Wasted Ink also announced a new team of contractors and volunteers to help run the new expanded space and the next-door print shop. New team positions include Retail Specialist, Event Manager, Grant Writer, Zine Library intern, and Print and Production intern. They’re expanding their design team and their internship program as well. Wasted Ink Zine Distro will be open with regular hours from 11-6p starting March 19 at 323 W McDowell Rd. The Grand Opening Week hosts six free events including Queer Threads, an Open Mic hosted by The Coven Phoenix, Exquisite Zine Corpse, a Mini Zine Workshop with Amy Silverman, an Erotic Collage Night with Pink Bubblegum, and Zine Fiends with K8. Learn more at wizd-az.com.  Amy Silverman's Paper Encyclopedia Wall located in the Wasted Ink Reading Library at the new McDowell Rd location.
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