Bookstores elers who are juar coming through. Literarity in El Paso have been doing a “If you’re traveling from L.A. to southern good job with that. Beckett said for him, Cont’d from Page 16 Texas, Mesilla is such a great place to just the best part of running the store is the dif- stop and relax,” she said. ferent people he meets, from out-of-town bookstores “I like seeing all the different people who visitors to regulars who feel like family. come in from all over the world, who have “People who come into a bookstore are Another longtime used bookstore in El so many different interests,” Blevins said. generally in a good mood,” he said. “They Paso is The , 7348 Remcon “After all, people who come into a - aren’t usually anxious or ‘hangry.’ They Circle on the West Side, operated by the store to look around always have to be are happy to be here and to look around.” Friends of the Westside Branches of the El interested in something.” Information: (575) 524-8471, coas- Paso Public Library. Information: 833- Information: (575) 526-6220 or .com or Facebook 2342 or Facebook. Facebook. The Friends of the José Cisneros Cielo Casa Camino Real Mural at Casa Camino Real in Las Cruces Vista Branch Library operate a bookstore Coas Books (Courtesy photo) at 3025 McRae, as well as at the library at Casa Camino Real Bookstore and Coas Bookstore has been a part Las Gallery, 314 S. Tornillo in Las Cruces, also readers on both sides of the border, and 1300 Hawkins. Information: 779-6916. exposing the many talented border writers The Friends of the Irving Schwartz Cruces since 1983 when archaeologist Pat serves as a community resource center and Beckett began his archaeological company showcases literature and arts of the border and artists to readers of all backgrounds. branch run a bookstore at 1757 George “We need to change what a bookstore is,” Dieter, Suite 113. Information: 593-0015 . with a focus on anthropological books. The region. Owner Denise Chavez, a longtime name Coas itself originally stood for area author and activist, uses her store as a Chavez said. “The status quo bookstore is Other branches also offer bookstores a thing of the past. We need to create the operated by similar volunteer organizations “Center of Anthropological Studies.” It way of bringing literature and education to grew into a exchange, and is people who might otherwise not have activist bookstore.” at the individual branches. For more infor- The store also sells books through mation go to elpasolibrary.org. now New Mexico’s largest secondhand access to them. bookstore, with more than 500,000 new The store works with Libros para El Viaje AbeBooks.com, including several items Mesilla Book Center and used books in stock as well as music, (Books for the Journey), a book drive for not found in their physical store. games and gaming supplies, and movies. refugee and migrant families in the area, Chavez said they also are working Las Cruces and Mesilla are both home to The store is currently run by Mike and and they have received donations from all towards the creation of an archive and successful independent bookstores, includ- Veronica Beckett, and has its flagship over to distribute books along the border. community center, “Museo de la Gente,” ing one of the oldest, Mesilla Book Center storefront at 317 Main and a branch loca- Chavez said the donated books, including to the focus on local history and culture. on the historic Plaza. Owner Cheryll tion at 1101 S. Solano, both in Las Cruces. a bilingual assortment, have come from a “We have a great legacy of literature that Blevins said the store, located in a historic Mike Beckett said and online diverse group of people and in many gen- has emerged from this area,” Chavez said. structure built in the mid-1800s, has been a book sales have eaten into business, but res. One recent donation was the entire “We just have this incredible culture of lit- part of Mesilla for decades. there are plenty of people who still want to of Albuquerque poet, photogra- erary heritage that more people need to “My parents purchased the store in 1966, come in and shop a brick-and-mortar store. pher and social activist Margaret Randall. learn about.” and before that it belonged to a lady who “Kids still love come in and get books at The mural in their children’s area, Chavez said she works to make her book- owned it since the 1950s, but of course it our children’s section, and it’s amazing depicdting “Flying Books” emerging from store as welcoming to visitors as possible, was much smaller,” she said. “Back then, how many people still prefer to have actual the bookstore in search of eager readers, including offering Mexican coffee for Mesilla was just La Posta and a couple of books over eBooks,” Beckett said. represents the center’s mission, she said. guests, and has given free books to some other stores. The streets were still dirt.” The store’s flagship location on historic Even though she feels there isn’t a lot of children who visit. As Mesilla grew, so did the bookstore. Main Street is now more visible than ever, local support of independent and local She said all local bookstores and book Blevins said today they carry books, both thanks to a revitalized Downtown. Beckett bookstores, she knows the books will find lovers need to support each other, to help fiction and nonfiction of all genres, as well said Coas was part of the Downtown Mall a home. “This has not stopped us,” Chavez bring the valuable resources of education as maintain a large children’s collection. when it was still practically a “ghost town” said. “It’s part of our idea of the ‘flying and literacy to people from both sides of Their most prominent offering is their before the restoration and renovations. books.’ We’re going to get the books out the border. This is one way to be able to local interest section, with local history, “People love to be proud of their historic there, to teachers or whoever loves books open hearts and minds to the needs and current events, books in issues affecting Downtown, and we’re happy to be able to and .” experiences of others. “Books are con- the border region, and more. be a part of that,” he said. In the eight years of Casa Camino Real’s duits to compassion,” she said. “They edu- “We have books if you just want a little One way Coas keeps its inventory fluid is existence, Chavez said the bookstore has cate us. They empower us.” recreational light reading or want to read a from books brought in by loyal customers, in a way reinvented itself to help fulfill a Information: (575) 523-3988 or heavy-digging history,” she said. either as donations or for trade-in credit. particular need for sharing books with Facebook. Blevins said although it is easy for some- Beckett said getting books is never a prob- one who knows exactly what they are lem. The challenge is selling them once looking for to purchase something online, they arrive. However, he realizes the inde- for many readers, they want to browse and pendent book trade isn’t for people who interact with someone who could point want to become rich. them in the right direction. “People who go into the bookstore busi- “Often, when you’re looking for a certain ness do it because they love books,” he type of book, you don’t know exactly what said. “It isn’t a typical business you go into you want until you see it,” she said. wanting to make a lot of money. It’s a She said they do maintain some good labor of love.” local customers, visitors from other areas, He noted that many independent book- including El Paso, have been a driving stores need to find a niche market, be it force in bringing business to them and the rare books or regional authors, to bring in rest of Mesilla. There are also a lot of trav- customers, and he mentioned stores like

Virtual Public Library — While El Paso The event will also include music and an exhibit library branches closed until further notice, by artists featured in this year’s issue. 24/7 online services for library cardholders are Admission is free. Information: Minerva still offered. The library is also offering free Laveaga, 831-2724 or [email protected]. story-time, crafts and tutorials on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. Information: elpasopub- Amigos and Flamingos Book Club — liclibrary.org. The monthly book club for young readers meets at a different El Paso Public Library ‘Chrysalis’ Release Party — EPCC’s liter- Branch covering a different reading list each ary and arts journal, “Chrysalis,” will celebrate month. Check for future meets and cancela- the release of its 2020 issue 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, tions. Information: 201-3040. Updates at April 24, at Cafe Mayapan, 2000 Texas, with a Facebook at AmigosAndFlamingosBookClub. reading by writers, followed by a reception. El Paso Scene April 2020 Page 17