Not quite a newcomer, Adam’s Nest has established itself over the past six years as a business that distorts what it means to be a vacation town t-shirt shop. Owner Adam Singer parlayed a long career in retail into a store that he describes as “sex-positive, politically engaged, socially conscious, spiritually connected, a bit naughty, queer and visible.” He says he didn’t set out to create a provocative brand, “but then, all these different things happened that sort of helped direct what the shop turned into.”
He opened the shop four days after the Pulse massacre in Orlando, and the summer before Trump’s election. That year’s Carnival theme? Back to the 80s. “I came out in 1985, and I was sort of surprised that we were celebrating the 80s. So when everyone was printing Pac Man and Rubick’s Cubes, I printed Silence Equals Death, Read My Lips, and Frankie Says Relax, Get PreP.” Today, Adam’s Nest designs are hard to miss up and down Commercial Street. “Shoot Loads Not Guns,” in bold letters makes a statement and gives a portion of proceeds back to Gays Against Guns. His Queer hats and sweatshirts support the Trevor Project. He has collaborated with and commissioned new designs from queer artists all over, many of whom he finds on Instagram or by customer referral. “It’s definitely political and it’s also passing on queer history,” he says. “I have a retail business with purpose, and if I can do anything to leave the world better than I found it, that’s what my aim is.”