Hi Desert Times, Twentynine Palms. The zine culture is red-hot in California

«‘Look at me, I’m in print’. There’s still beauty in being on printed paper: digital is great but seeing yourself in print takes it to another level», Liz Lapp on Hi Desert Times

Hi Desert Times: A Magazine Store in the Heart of the High Desert

Hi Desert Times is a magazine store located in the heart of the High Desert, Twentynine Palms, California. Established in July 2023, the store, led by Liz Lapp and Stephen Lapp, has since expanded to a new location in Yucca Valley in 2024.

In recent years, the High Desert has experienced a cultural renaissance. Marked by an influx of pop-up stores and cultural activities, the region has become a hub for artists, creatives, and entrepreneurs seeking a space to showcase their work and engage with the community. «The desert fosters a sense of adventure,» Liz Lapp explains. «The community here is open to trying new things, with pop-ups and collaborative ventures. The desert environment encourages a ‘go for it’ mentality.»

«We co-founded the store after living in major cities: we met in San Francisco, then moved to New York and settled in Los Angeles. Eventually, we bought a home in the desert. Both Stephen and I are interested in contemporary culture and enjoy having a space where people can find magazines.»

«When we moved to the desert, we were still in lockdown and did everything we could, but I did miss going to a magazine store. I missed the community. Once we were able to move around freely, I discovered that the closest magazine store was in Palm Desert. I would drive down to buy bundles of magazines, and one day my husband said, ‘Why don’t we just open a shop in the desert?’ We started seriously considering it: the desert had become our home, and we were putting down roots. That’s when we found our path forward.»

As per Lapp’s vision, Hi Desert Times has become a point of reference for visual culture lovers in Twentynine Palms. «The opening of our store elicited a positive reaction from the community. It was a Thursday in the summertime, usually not as crowded. I was surprised by which magazines sold out because I initially expected glossy or widely available magazines to be popular. Instead, it was mostly local and literary magazines. That’s how our journey brought us to where we are now.»

«When I lived in New York, I resided in the West Village, on West 12th and 8th Ave., right across the street from Casa Magazines. Every day, I would walk there, get my coffee, and go to Casa Magazines. It was like a candy shop. They know the neighborhood, the community, and the people who visit. They talk to everybody. Every magazine wants to be in Casa Magazines. It’s a hub.»

Embracing the zine culture and literary influences of Gen X

The 1980s marked a transformative era in the US, fueled by a fervent do-it-yourself (DIY) ethos and underground publications. Cities like San Francisco and Los Angeles became hubs for alternative and countercultural movements. Zines were distributed at punk shows, record stores, bookshops, and community spaces, allowing for grassroots circulation.

«Growing up in the eighties was very much about punk zines and DIY. You could go to the copy store where, before Kinko’s, you would just put quarters in a machine and make your zines. They were free, and people would just hand them out,» Lapp shares.

«We were cutting out clippings from magazines, doing the lettering by hand, and then photocopying. The zine culture inspired my love for magazines, as we needed them to make the zines, and it was such a good form of expression. I love reading works by authors like Joan Didion and Eve Babitz, who wrote for newspapers or magazines, because they offer in-depth reporting while maintaining a personal touch.»

The complementary relationship between print and digital media

Today, the world of zines continues to thrive, albeit with changes brought by the digital age. While traditional print zines are still appreciated by enthusiasts and collectors, the internet has opened new opportunities for creators and readers alike. «I’ve noticed, during my travels, that people are reconnecting.»

«We’re providing something the community still values, as seen in the resurgence of people buying vinyl records. While the digital age has brought worldwide access to information, it has also made us more cautious about what we read and where it comes from. With a printed magazine, there’s a sense of confidence that the information is likely to be factual and entertaining. If you enjoy the writing, you can always return to it, unlike quickly scrolling through digital content. It’s not about print versus digital, but how they complement each other and make each other stronger.»

«You can see it on Substack, a digital format that has taken on blogging, but it has also become a space for journalism. Dirt is a daily newsletter about entertainment with more than 23,000 subscribers. But when you deal with print, it’s different. I’ve seen many writers who do their work digitally, but when they are in print, they’ll take a photo of the magazine and say, ‘look at me, I’m in print’. There’s still beauty in being on printed paper: digital is great, but seeing yourself in print takes it to another level.»

The zine culture is red-hot in the California desert

«Niche publications are thriving, with magazines like Broccoli Magazine, Cake Zine, and The Drift gaining popularity. Independent publishers are actively seeking writers and artwork, creating movement in the industry. Flagrant Magazine, a women-owned publication focused on basketball, stands out among niche offerings. The zine culture is red-hot, with places like Printed Matter in New York hosting exhibitions and art book shows.»

«Zines foster inclusion and provide a platform for marginalized communities to express themselves and reach a wider audience. These scenes are undergoing a revitalization. In California, particularly in the desert region, the zine culture is immense, with recent exhibits showcasing zine creators. Collaborations and ideas for Zine fairs are actively discussed, strengthening the independent publishing scene in Southern California and across the state. Similar thriving cultures exist in San Francisco and in Portland, Oregon, home to independent publishers.»

Hi Desert Times in Yucca Valley

After debuting in Twentynine Palms, Hi Desert Times opened its own premises in Yucca Valley in 2024. Having worked with StudioDFD (Distillery For Design) architects on the building, the owners remain committed to maintaining a connection with the surroundings. The Twentynine Palms shop continues to serve as a vibrant hub for community events.

The architecture of Hi Desert Times incorporates a triangular glass cutout holding a tree, symbolizing magazines as a source of growth and knowledge. In the rear, six magazine shelving panels flank the main entry through a courtyard behind the triangular cutout, celebrating the tree at the end of the entry procession. «In addition to a spacious retail area for publications, the store offers plenty of seating for customers to relax and read magazines. An outdoor area also connects with the desert landscape.»

Bringing communities together at Hi Desert Times

In the high tourist area surrounding Joshua Tree National Park, locals experience a different perspective from visitors. Living in the community, they seek places to dine and socialize beyond tourist spots. Small businesses in the area strive to balance catering to tourists and providing experiences for both visitors and residents.

«It’s all about collaborating with the community. For instance, a local woman coffee roaster hosts pop-ups in my shop, and a local DJ plays music on Sundays. I’m creating events to bring creatives together. Supporting other local businesses forms a kinship, despite competition. We all want each other to succeed.»

Liz Lapp emphasizes engaging with the community, participating in local town politics, and creating events that bring people together, highlighting the value of real-life interactions. «Community building and tourist appeal should be balanced. Small businesses should be involved in local politics and engage with the community to create a positive impact.»

Hi Desert Times Today

Hi Desert Times is a magazine shop located at 73552 Twentynine Palms Hwy, in the Corner62 shops, near Freedom Plaza and the Joshua Tree National Park North entrance in Twentynine Palms. With a selection of magazines and publications, the store caters to a range of interests, including literary, fashion, lifestyle, and travel. Customers can browse and buy the latest issues of popular magazines as well as discover niche publications.