Welcome to the Moon.
Once upon a time, there was a man. A man named Joshua “DJ Mercy” Gruft. And he thought magazines were dope. So, he was running one. It was called Hypersaturation and it was rad.
Then, he needed a place to sell magazines. In 2023, Downtown Troy, New York was popping. But rent prices weren’t. So, Joshua “DJ Mercy” Gruft thought lemme start a store. And he did. In March 2024, Paper Moon V1.0.1 opened its doors.
As it exited the womb of Josh’s mind, Paper Moon was a bookstore with a great speaker system. Over time, it became an intimate home for concerts and poetry readings. Its shelves expanded from current magazines and indie zines to used books, comics, VHS, and more. For the local community, it became a home for art.
It began to grow. Its gravity shifted. It had to move.
In June 2025, Paper Moon moved to 6 Brunswick Road, Troy, NY where it is now learning to walk as the home of literature and art for the diverse DIY communities of New York’s Capital Region.
Visit: Find us at 6 Brunswick Rd in downtown Troy
Follow: Events & updates @papermoon_troy
“A place that feels like Tokyo’s best indie shops and your coolest friend’s living room.”
—ACE Newsletter