The sign reads Resistencia Bookstore, but according to caretaker Rene Valdez, the space inside is more than just a place for selling books.

“It is a space of written resource, but the idea is that it became a safe-space that organizers and activists could come and exchange ideas,” Valdez said. “We use ‘bookstore’ loosely, but the vision is more a community center to hear people’s victories and struggles.”

The late Raúl Salinas founded the Resistencia Bookstore in 1982. Salinas was a former adjunct professor who taught in the communications department at St. Edward’s University. He is known as a Chicano beat poet and social justice advocate. During his time at St. Edward’s, Salinas taught courses about social movements and multicultural communication.

“He inspired so many students and was such a presence to have here,” professor Tere Garza said.

Resistencia Bookstore is a part of the legacy Salinas left behind.

“We’re a grassroots operation and a mom-and-pop five and dime shop,” Valdez said. “We don’t aspire to be Barnes and Noble or even a Book People.”

Located in an old house converted into businesses on the corners of South 1st Street and Annie Street, the living room setting and vibrant décor create an inviting atmosphere where all are welcome.

“We call this ‘Raúl’s living room,'” Valdez said.

When asked about the products Resistencia Bookstore carries, Valdez responded with “you’re opening up a can of worms.” To prove his point, he indicated the shelves, which display Chicano, Native American, African American, gay and lesbian, children’s bilingual and feminist literature. There are history books, poetry books, spoken word CD’s, DVD’s and jewelry made by indigenous artists along with posters, t-shirts and bumper stickers.

“Resistencia” is the Spanish word for resistance, and at the bookstore, they celebrate culture and reject the idea of assimilation.

“We resist total assimilation because our people have been here for a long time,” Valdez said. “We feel we have the right to maintain history, culture, language, and are trying to resist being melted into the pot.”

The space also houses Red Salmon Arts, a non-profit “Native American/Chicano based cultural arts organization,” according to their website. The name of the organization is Salinas’s tribute to his work with the Native Americans in the Pacific Northwest to obtain fishing rights.

Red Salmon Arts sponsors projects that focus on educating children through the literary arts. Save Our Youth is one such project, in which Valdez and others involved with Resistencia Bookstore and Red Salmon Arts host intensive writing workshops at the Gardner Betts Juvenile Detention Center.

“We use poetry and dialogue to engage young people and offer hope to the young people,” Valdez said.

Another component of Red Salmon Arts is Red Salmon Press, an editorial collective that publishes and distributes newsletters, literary collections and poetry CDs. These works are available for purchase exclusively at Resistencia Books.

“We’ve opened up a space for emerging writers,” Valdez said.

Red Salmon Arts and Resistencia Bookstore also host open mics, poetry readings, workshops and other literary and cultural events.

“We believe fully firsthand in the power of the word,” Valdez said. “It can empower, it can liberate, and it can heal and we bring that mindset to young people.”

In addition to the physical store, Resistencia Bookstore can be found on the Web at www.resitenciabooks.com. The store is usually open sometime between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m., so either take a chance and drop by or call first to be sure someone is there.