Casita Book Store is moving, but its welcoming spirit will remain

The beloved Long Beach community staple, Casita Book Store, is relocating after a difficult fiscal year. Owner Antonette Franceschi-Chavez told CALÓ News that she hopes the transition will occur within the next four to five weeks.

On January 2, Franceschi-Chavez announced on social media that Casita Books Store would be relocating and directed her supporters to a fundraiser to help cover the costs of the move. According to the GoFundMe campaign, sales from the previous year were down 19% compared to 2022, with the most significant losses occurring over the last six months. Franceschi-Chavez expressed hope that the influx of holiday sales would help them recover, but, unfortunately, that was not the case.

“We are saying goodbye to our casita, but we’re not going far—just down the street off Redondo,” she tells CALÓ News. Franceschi-Chavez’s husband owns a local barbershop called Service & Supply, with two separate retail spaces that will now be sectioned off and divided: a barbershop on one side and a bookstore on the other.

For the past three years, Casitas Book Store has served as a space where the locals not only buy books, but also gather. They have previously hosted bilingual story times, author events, and workshops led by community members. Franceschi-Chavez, who identifies as Afro-Latina, states that the bookstore has played a significant role in her personal journey to reconnect with her heritage, which she hopes to continue facilitating for others. “My dad was Puerto Rican, my mom is Mexican,” she shares, “this bookstore is opening me up to so many beautiful stories.”

Despite being embraced by the locals and the surrounding neighborhood, the last several years have been extremely difficult for the small business owner. “Times are tough,” said Franceschi-Chavez, “and it’s hard to ask people to choose books when they’re choosing between necessities and luxuries.”

Since the announcement, the GoFundMe campaign has raised nearly the entire $9,000 goal and has sold out several in-store books. However, the road ahead remains challenging for small business owners facing tough economic times. Franceschi-Chavez said what Casita really needs is longevity: “We want to make sure this can last and survive.”

This is not a new issue, as many local businesses throughout Long Beach have been affected by economic hardship. Over the past several years, there has been an onslaught of business closures, driven in part by rising rents, inflation and broader economic downturns. This is one reason why places like Casita Book Store are so beloved; they embody the resilience of the diverse communities that continue to contribute to Long Beach.

Franceschi-Chavez emphasizes that no matter where Casita Book Store is located, she will strive to maintain the warm and inclusive atmosphere of their previous space. "It’s important for our faces to be seen," she told CALÓ News. "Our stories matter, and we need spaces where we feel safe."