Friday, October 28, 2011

The bookstore's youngest volunteers...

In addition to the financial support, contributors have offered their time and skills. Thank you to all who have offered to pick up paint brushes, hammers and nails!

This note was written by 10 year old Naylan, who along with her twin brother Nolan only asked for ice cream in return for their help.

Note from Naylan and Nolan:


 
Congratulations on campaigning on your bookstore. Me and Nolan would like to volunteer on your bookstore. We would like to help you clean up the place when you close.
But congrats on your big dream. It's like you made a wish and it came true. Thanks for listening.
P.S. You were on the news.

Thursday, October 27, 2011

La Casa Azul Bookstore featured in today’s New York Daily News!


“Drive to open bookstore in East Harlem opens new page”

EXCERPT:
A campaign to bring a bookstore to East Harlem has received a second wind.The 40-day effort to raise $40,000 to open the neighborhood’s only bookstore ended on Monday with the organizer coming up about $8,000 short.
However, in an unorthodox move, the online fund-raising website IndieGoGo.com granted the popular initiative an extension until next Monday.

So far, more than 400 people have donated to the cause to bring a bookshop to the book-starved neighborhood. Donations have ranged from $1 to more than $1,000, and have come from more than just the five boroughs. Online donations have been received from California to Korea to Australia.


FULL ARTICLE:
http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/uptown/2011/10/27/2011-10-27_drive_to_open_bookstore_in_e_harlem_opens_new_page.html#ixzz1bzyQKdBe

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Booklovers Fight for Stores Uptown

EXTRA! EXTRA! READ ALL ABOUT IT!
 
La Casa Azul Bookstore featured in today's 'The Uptowner' 
Booklovers Fight for Stores Uptown 


Article excerpt:
Aurora Anaya-Cerda, is trying to open La Casa Azul, East Harlem’s next local bookstore. “Customers see the advantage of a community-oriented business in their neighborhood,” said Anaya-Cerda, 33, noting that independent businesses “give back financially to the community by keeping more dollars invested locally. That is something everyone appreciates.”

Read full article:
http://theuptowner.org/2011/10/26/booklovers-fight-for-stores-uptown/

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

IndieGogo extends the 40Kin40days campaign deadline

In an uncharacteristic move, IndieGoGo has responded to popular demand by extending the donation deadline. 

New deadline: Monday October 31st

Campaign link: http://www.indiegogo.com/lacasaazulbookstorenyc



 



 

We did it!



Determined to have a place in East Harlem for books, authors and the community to come together - I began my adventure to open La Casa Azul in the Spring of 2006.  For 5 years I have immersed myself in the book industry world. I have visited every bookstore possible, spoken to publishers, authors and bookstore owners.  
   
There have been many highlights and some challenges. Several times I felt like walking away - but giving up felt worse than moving forward. 

As I prepare to open La Casa Azul Bookstore, I look forward to many amazing experiences. I know that challenges will arise - but I am sure I won't regret a single part of this adventure.   

Thank you for believing in me, La Casa Azul Bookstore will finally have a home. 

Aurora Anaya-Cerda

 =======================
Celebrating the campaign's success! 
  • 395 people contributed to the online campaign
  • $32,235 raised via IndieGogo (online contributions)
  • $1,367 in cash/checks (direct contributions)
  • $40,000 match

WHAT'S NEXT?
Stay connected to what La Casa Azul Bookstore is doing as it prepares to open in East Harlem. Photos, videos and blog entries will be posted on the Lucha Libros blog. 

Monday, October 24, 2011

THANK YOU! Last 4 hours of the #40Kin40days campaign

Changing Hands Bookstore tweets about La Casa Azul Bookstore




Changing Hands Bookstore opened its first store in 1974 and has been supported by the Arizona community ever since. It’s bookstores like Changing Hands that inspire me.

Other independent bookstores that contributed to the $40Kin40days campaign:
  • Imix Bookstore, Los Angeles
  • Greenlight Bookstore, Brooklyn
  • McNally Jackson Bookstore, SoHo
  • WordUpBookshop, Washington Heigths

=========================

I am deeply grateful for your support and generosity. Your contribution to the 40Kin40days campaign means that you want to see an independent bookstore in East Harlem and that you believe in the mission of La Casa Azul Bookstore. 

Every contribution and message posted is a reminder to keep moving forward - thank you for believing in me.

Welcome to the Founder’s Circle:
Changing Hands Bookstore
Sarah McNally, Mc Nally Jackson Bookstore
Elisa Garcia, Imix Bookstore
Adam Alvarez 
Alyssa Hernandez
Amy Cortese
Ana Sofia Pelaez
Barbara Alpert
Carmen Fernandez
Catherine Bravo
Cecily Griesser
Charlotte Schell
Christina Castro
Christine Cleavest
Christine Jeffers
Cindy Maguire
Claudia Hoffens
Cynthia Rodriguez
Davina Cohen
Delia Montalvo
Diana Delgado
Diane Garcia
Donna Paz Kaufman
Douglas Chavez
Dulce Garcia
Edward Santos
Elisabet Hernandez
Elizabeth Hamby
Elizabeth Montaño
Elpidio Rocha
Erasmo Guerra
Erica de la Rosa
Evelyn Jones
Frank Ng
Gerardo Martinez
Gina Flores
Glenda Hernandez
Guadalupe Herrera
Jennese Torres
Jennifer Galvez
Jolynn Asato
Jose Castello
Jose Luis Obregoso
Joy Castro
Judith Camacho
Karmela Herrera
Katherine Anderson
Ken Padron
Kirsche Romo
Leilani Montes
Maria Alexandra Garcia
Maria Nigro
Marian Gressier
Marisa Paolicelli
Martha Rivas
Maru Chavez
Mary Segars
Maurice Guillen
Meadow Braun
Michael Corum
Myrna Velez
Nicole Mirra
Nunny Reyes
Pamela May
Patricia Pujals
Paul Flores
Raquel Rivera
Regina Robbino
Reidiny Martinez
Richard Kelley
Richard Zahradnik
Rick Vanvalkenburg
Riti Chavez
Robert Trujillo
Rosalba Gallardo
Sara Kramer
Selena Rhine
Shanali Inchaustegui
Sol Aramendi
Stephanie Alvarado
Stephanie Cariaga
Tania Ramirez
Tanya Torres
Viva Greetings
William Copeland
William Griesser
William Sandiford
Yolanda Cardenas

Saturday, October 22, 2011

La Casa Azul Bookstore, East Harlem Bi-Cultural Bookstore, Needs Your Help

Huffington Post featured Aurora Anaya-Cerda &
La Casa Azul Bookstore!  
(10/21/2011)
 
La Casa Azul Bookstore, East Harlem Bi-Cultural Bookstore, Needs Your Help

EXCERPT:
“Bookstores have closed – and there’s no denying that – but bookstores have also opened throughout the years, and many of them have become very successful,” she said. “I’m looking to those for inspiration.”

Anaya-Cerda was raised by her mother, who immigrated from Mexico and worked as a seamstress in East L.A. She said she learned the importance of reading early. “My mom taught me how important reading and school was,” she said. “She taught me to love reading... And I was the first person in my family to graduate from college. Out of 22 grand children, I was the first.”

For Cerda, La Casa Azul is a means of promoting bi-culturalism through the written word in a community she believes desperately needs an influx of vibrant local businesses.
“I’m bi-cultural,” she said. “I’m a first generation Chicana. I can read and speak in both languages, and I know the value of being part of both cultures. We’ll be selling books for kids to read in both English and Spanish, and promoting the preservation of Latino language and culture.”

FULL ARTICLE:

 
============================

I am deeply grateful for your support and generosity. Your contribution to the 40Kin40days campaign means that you want to see an independent bookstore in East Harlem and that you believe in the mission of La Casa Azul Bookstore. 

Every contribution and message posted is a reminder to keep moving forward - thank you for believing in me.


Welcome to the Founder’s Circle:
Adelina Anthony
Aldo Gonzalez
Alexandro Hernandez
Gloria Rodriguez
Ivan Sanchez
Julia Carias
Katherine Benson
Lillian Leathers
Luz Felix-Marquez
Massiel Torres
Michael Regan
Michael Rodriguez
Nicole Vasquez
Rosa Bonilla-Gomez
Victoria Trinder