Afro-Latina-owned Casita Bookstore in Long Beach is a home for all who love books

Antonette Franceschi-Chavez opened Casita Bookstore in the heart of Fourth Street in Long Beach to create a diverse and inclusive literature community for every adult and child.  From hosting community events and supplying local clubs and businesses with books to creating the nonprofit Equity Through Literacy, Franceschi-Chavez has made a difference in the community.  

Franceschi-Chavez is Afro-Latina, with Spanish being her first language. Her family chose to live in Long Beach because of the community, friendly spaces and cost. She always had a passion for books, beginning at a young age. She remembers her elementary school hosted a bi-weekly mobile library since the kids were too far from any local ones. This fun experience as a child made a lasting impression.  

This also motivated her to work harder than other students in high school. She was classified an English-Learner (EL) student while also taking honors classes. There was a point where Franceschi-Chavez and her mother had to advocate for the school to approve her graduation because they thought she was still behind.

All these times of misrepresentation motivated Franceschi-Chavez, after graduating college, to be an advocate for children. 

The creation of Casita Bookstore

For several years, Franceschi-Chavez was a dual-language elementary school teacher, encountering a lack of bilingual and diverse book choices for students.  

“One of the biggest setbacks or hurdles was having access to books in Spanish that were good or high quality for kids,” she said. 

After having her second child, Franceschi-Chavez considered continuing to teach, until she drove past a little building that she would soon name Casita after the Spanish word for “little house.” 

“I think just the facade … it felt like a really happy, cozy place where I could bring my kids,” she said.  

Her dream of making her very own library was coming true. Within four months after seeing the place, Franceschi-Chavez signed the lease in December 2022.  

The main goal of Casita Bookstore is to represent every customer that comes inside the store and make a safe space for members who do not have one. When Latina customers come in, Franceschi-Chavez enthusiastically uplifts Latina authors as suggestions. With events and story times that happen often at the store, Casita has become exactly what she intended: a safe space.  

“Story times have been really impactful because we’ve hosted drag story times, some sensory story times, story time for Palestine, we host bilingual story times, you know, all-encompassing of the community,” she said.  

Even with book suggestions, everyone can offer their own published piece of writing to be sold at Casita. Franceschi-Chavez makes it a point to carry local authors and authors from marginalized communities.  

“The biggest thing is taking into account the people who walk into the store,” she said.  

Employee Estrella Contrevas, a Long Beach native, knew of Casita from the community and applied for a job there seven months ago. “My previous job was really bad, I was like, I need a place where it’s nice and less stressful,” she said.  

Contrevas was happy when they were given the last position available, along with one other employee. “Honestly, I think [Casita Bookstore] is amazing, especially because it’s Latina-owned, and because we’re supportive of any person of color, any sexuality, whatever you identify with. I feel like this is the safest place I’ve ever been in,” she said.  

Recently, as customers gazed at each shelf, many were fawning over covers and conversing about each progressive book they saw.  

“It’s my first time here, and the vibes are great. I wish we had something like this closer to myself.” Nancy Valdivia, an Orange County native, said while holding a children's book, “When I Wrap My Hair,” a book for kids with textured hair.  

Children are the primary reason for the existence of Casita, which was initially meant to be just a children’s bookstore. But more adult traction has made for more book options.  

Franceschi-Chavez is a huge supporter of children’s access to books, and believes the banning of books covering marginalized communities will affect all children. She said there is a greater concern for the neurodiverse community and the erasure of representation for these kids when they were just starting to gain more representation in books.  

Although there have been some negative comments, Franceschi-Chavez believes Long Beach is filled with like-minded people who will support Casita no matter what. 

“Thankfully, we're in an area where the community is open enough, they care enough about the stories we have,” she said. 

This article was produced in collaboration with the Department of Journalism & Public Relations at California State University, Long Beach.