Libreria Barco de Papel also includes a thrift store, which is located right outside of the store.

Ramón and Paula created this small thrift shop in order to help fund the bookstore and continue the various activities they offer. They sell clothing, books, vinyl, and paintings that were donated to them.

When we went to the bookstore, they were still setting up the thrift store by dragging the table outside and placing the goods on it. Paula Ortiz told me that because they do not have a certain budget for the store, they take what they can get through donations.

When browsing the shelves, you can’t help but notice the trinkets and dolls on the top shelf, above the books. The random yet homely feeling they bring adds to the atmosphere of the store. After asking Paula, I found out that some of these trinkets were donated by their friends and they bought some of them from thrift stores themselves. She believes they all have a meaning and represent affection. When customers come in, they connect themselves to these items and sometimes want to buy them, but they’re not for sale.