Help Jordan make Print Plaza a reality!

My name is Jordan and many people recognize me as an employee at Net Plaza, a beloved print shop at Spadina and College serving customers from Kensington, Chinatown, UofT, Harbord Village and beyond. I’m asking for your help today because the owner, Michael Kee, has offered to sell me the space including all the machines and equipment at a very reasonable price. I have scarce savings but Michael has generously offered to be paid on a very low-risk payment plan. I now have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to take on the old Net Plaza shop and transform it into my own space, Print Plaza.

What your donation will allow me to do:

I am dedicated to making the space more usable for the community we serve and artist-friendly while still maintaining the low prices that all customers expect. Your donation will be going towards these action items, in addition to the cost of purchase:

Shifting the focus from internet cafe to printing and finishing services (hence the name change) while still keeping some computers available for use

Moving, setting up, and hosting the Canada Comics Open Library, free of charge, so that they can continue to loan books and expand their collection

Cleaning up the floors and walls, including a bathroom revamp

Hosting curatorial projects for emerging artists

Focusing on acquiring equipment relevant to the needs of artists (e.g. looking for risograph printers)

Eventually host small shows, and other community events in the evenings.

Starting a small business is no easy task, and I want to be fully transparent about my history and personal background.

I had been a patron at Net Plaza for 7 years before I started working there as a manager 3 years ago. In this time I’ve learned the ins and outs of the business and the potential risk factors, and I’m confident that this endeavour will succeed.

I’ve been a cartoonist and zinester for the last 20 years and I know how important it is to keep costs as low as possible while maintaining quality services for artists.

I’ve worked at Gwartzman’s Art Supplies for 7 years so I have a long history of serving the Chinatown community.

Printing has been a passion of mine for the majority of my life and greatly look forward to serving the public in Print Plaza for years to come.

Please feel free to email me if you have any questions about my fundraiser!