Tuesday, May 8, 2012

WANTED: Bookstore ambassadors


La Casa Azul Bookstore is seeking volunteers to assist with our events and other store activities. Volunteers will be given the opportunity to work with a lively, creative team and meet a wide variety of visiting authors and guests.

Volunteers will have the unique opportunity to have direct contact with the general public while affecting change, excitement, and lasting memories in their community! Qualifications include strong communication skills, an outgoing personality, and an infectious passion for the written word.


Volunteer schedule:
4-8 hours a week, shifts are 10am – 2pm or 4pm – 8pm 
6 month – 1 year commitment preferred
 2 hour volunteer training required

Our need for bookstore volunteers is based on the on-site/off-site event schedule.
 
If you are interested in being a volunteer - assisting with events or other activities, please submit the following information:

1.      Cover letter that includes any special skills that might be helpful     (event planning experience, photographer, storyteller, actor)

2.      Resume

3.      Answer to question: Why are you interested in volunteering at La Casa Azul? Bookstore (1 page max, separate from cover letter)

4.      Schedule information (days/hours available from Tuesday – Sunday between the hours of 10am – 2pm, and 4-8pm)


Though we are never at a loss for something to read, we can't wait to read your application!

ALL materials must be received by: Sunday May 20th at 10:00pm , via email 

Email: lucha.libros[at]gmail.com

Subject line: Bookstore ambassador (+ your name)

Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please do not contact the store to enquire about selection. All volunteers must attend 2 hour training the last week of May.

Friday, May 4, 2012

The home stretch

Even as I put these photos together I can't believe that we are almost there! The build out of La Casa Azul Bookstore is almost complete, what an incredible journey!

Thank you to EVERYONE who helped make this possible: Founder's Circle members who gave to the campaign last Fall, friends and volunteers who cleaned, painted, installed the floor, assembled furniture - who brought snacks, music and energy just when I was ready to collapse from exhaustion - thank you! 


Bookstore friend and fans - thank you for the emails and words of encouragement that pushed me to keep going when I was too tired to move (seriously, sore muscles are not fun). 

To my design team- the bookstore that had been living in my journals, as sketches, notes and photographs is now real, and it looks exactly like what I had imagined.

My design dream team, Casa Latina!

Before Manny Vega's installation.


After Manny Vega's installation
Reading room - before
Reading room - after







LadyK Fever

Work in progress, LadyK Fever


Before tile counter top

After tile counter top!






WELCOME!


Wednesday, May 2, 2012

FIRST event in the bookstore's history

Monday April 23rd was World Book Night. World Book Night is an annual celebration designed to spread a love of reading and books. On World Book Night tens of thousands of people went out into their communities to spread the joy and love of reading by giving out free paperbacks.

Although La Casa Azul Bookstore is not officially open yet, our application to be a part of World Book Night was accepted and we were a book distribution center. World Book Night was the FIRST event to be held at the bookstore!

Friends, Founder's Circle members and John Jay College students joined in the celebration of World Book Night, they each received a copy of "The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao" and also got a sneak peek of the bookstore.  

We ended the evening with a conversation about the importance of World Book Night, and many also shared memories of their first books and about the people who encouraged and supported their love for reading.   

My thought the entire time was "Yes, this is why La Casa Azul Bookstore is important" and I am so happy to be closer to my goal than ever before.


Vivan los libros!

World Book Night, April 23, 2012
Photos by © Gary Santana / www.GDSarts.com

World Book Night, April 23, 2012
Photos by © Gary Santana / www.GDSarts.com
World Book Night, April 23, 2012
Photos by © Gary Santana / www.GDSarts.com
World Book Night, April 23, 2012
Photos by © Gary Santana / www.GDSarts.com

World Book Night, April 23, 2012
Photos by © Gary Santana / www.GDSarts.com

Monday, April 30, 2012

Are you a self published author?



La Casa Azul Bookstore is offering a consignment program for local/self-published authors!


This program allows La Casa Azul Bookstore to carry and feature a much wider variety of self-published titles! 

 
GUIDELINES:
STEP 1:
Email lucha.libros(at)gmail.com with book information:  book title(s), synopsis, author website/info by May 12, at 10pm.

Subject line: Books on consignment (+ author name)

STEP 2:
Receive an email confirmation from La Casa Azul Bookstore with drop-off appointment day/time.

Thursday, April 19, 2012

Missed segment one of "Creating a Home Away From Home"?


Watch segment 1 La Casa Azul Bookstore (aired Friday 4/13)! 

 
Link to video segment: 



Segment 2 airs tomorrow (4/20) on Telemundo's Al Amanecer con Jackie, 6am!

"Creating a Home Away From Home" at La Casa Azul Bookstore will be a four-part Casa Latina branded before-and-after segment and will follow the renovation of La Casa Azul Bookstore. Viewers will experience La Casa Azul Bookstore’s before-and-after transformation from an empty space to a first-of-its-kind home-themed bookstore.

Creating a Home Away From Home
April 13, 20, 27 and May 4th
Telemundo (Channel 47, tri-state)
Al Amanecer con Jackie
6:00am- 7:00am

The Creating a Home Away From Home segments on Telemundo have been made possible by the generosity of Moen and IKEA.

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

The bookstore's progress!

It has been a very busy Spring at La Casa Azul Bookstore: new paint, new lighting, new furniture and a new floor. 

Needless to say, the store looks beautiful!  










Sunday, April 1, 2012

Latina entrepreneurs join forces


Over the 6 years that I have worked on opening La Casa Azul Bookstore I have taken workshops and courses in New York, in topics ranging from marketing to branding to social media 101. 

In 2008 I took a 6 week course on business plan basics and met Nora Diaz and Marlene Pratt, they were launching Casa Latina, a home and lifestyle company. It was easy to see how well the 2 cousins got along and used their different skills to build their business. Since the class, Nora and Marlene have appeared on FOX, CBS, WNBC and CNN as design and renovation experts.  

I kept in touch with Nora and Marlene throughout the years, and when I signed the store lease, I knew who my design team would be. 
 
Casa Latina has been instrumental in helping me design the store and I am thrilled to share that La Casa Azul Bookstore has received support from IKEA to build the first-of-its-kind, home themed bookstore because Casa Latina. 

Nora and Marlene - thank you for helping build La Casa Azul Bookstore.




On Friday, Nora, Marlene and I drove to Hicksville, Long Island to pick up merchandise for La Casa Azul Bookstore.