U.S. Starcom, a provider of value-added telephone services has partnered with Public Square Books, publisher of Spanish-language graphic novels, to launch mini-bookstores within certain stores that already have relationships with Starcom.
What will start with a limited number of openings at select venues will eventually grow into a nationwide presence, the companies hope. The mini-stores (or librerias), will sell graphic novels, kids' books and DVDs by Latino authors and artists.
The venture will also have an online component (www.librosestrella.com) that will offer a much wider selection of merchandise to choose from.
John DiDomenico, President of U.S. Starcom, said in a statement that U.S. Hispanics are set to spend $1 trillion this year in goods and services, and that the book market is a hitherto unexploited area.