NEW YORK (1010 WINS) – Librería Barco de Papel, a nonprofit bookstore and cultural center, is the last remaining Spanish-language bookstore in New York City, located just steps from the bustling Roosevelt Avenue in Jackson Heights, Queens.
Founded in 2003 by Ramón Caraballo, the bookstore has become a beloved cultural hub for the neighborhood. The store operates as a community space rather than just a business, under the leadership of current program director, Paula Ortiz.
“This place is just proof that we are resilient,” Ortiz told 1010 WINS. Originally starting as a humble book stand beneath the elevated 7 train, the bookstore has grown into a vital part of the community, preserving the Spanish language not only in conversation but in its written form. “We’re keeping a language alive,” Ortiz said.
The bookstore serves children, artists, and recently arrived Latino immigrants. Ortiz explained that the bookstore’s programming evolved in response to the community’s needs. …