Tia Chucha’s Centro Cultural & Bookstore

This is the best spot in Sylmar!
It’s a Chicano cultural center and bookstore. There are many free events for the community to attend and be a part of including: Aztec Dance, poetry workshops, guitar and dance, Open Mic in English and Spanish on Friday nights!
It’s a beautiful place where the community gathers and shares.
Please support local bookstores! There is a huge LGBT, poetry, and cultural section!
Co-​Founded by LA’s Poet Laureate, Luis J. Rodriguez!

I found this place via Unilocal.I was looking for a place that served coffee, had wifi and I could kill time at and I found it. Its located in a plaza where the Fresh n Easy is right in front.
But…this place is more of a cultural center for the community than a coffee shop since their coffee is from a Keurig. I am not dissing the coffee it was good and cheap and they said some teas as well available mostly from Fresh n Easy.
Although I didn’t get full on coffee shop I loved stumbling onto this place. If I lived out here I might be a regular. They don’t have an immense selection of books but its a decent collection they have books on street art, cooking, politics, religion, some Latin@ children books. Apparently after talking to the staff at the door about why there were so many Luis J. Rodriguez books, they said the place was cofounded by the author Luis J. Rodriguez.
The space itself is colorful, open, plenty of light, and air conditioning and full of artwork (no white anywhere). Its a big room with bookshelves on the sides, some tables spread out (one outside that I saw) and a way that had a curtain where they might do music and theatre. Theres a restroom inside. I saw a small fee for using a card too.
Im giving it a 4 because I wish it was a coffee and bookstore (had more books) but love that its a community center. I’m sure they are doing great work here and brining in lots of community members together.

This is such an important space for the entire community– I wish we had more places like this throughout the valley. Besides promoting literacy and being an awesome bookstore, they offer a vibrant arts program through low-​cost classes; through the years my children have had the opportunity to experience everything from folklorico to danza, from nahuatlaka to guitar & congas. I consider them a wonderful resource in connecting my children with their heritage.

Tía Chucha’s Centro Cultural & Bookstore is a safe environment where local writers, poets and musician’s can express themselves through their Open Mic and Noches de Canto y Poesía every Friday at 8. I must say that this bookstore has given me an excuse to step out of my shell and share my work with other people that come to get inspiration as well as give other inspiration. Come and support your local bookstore for this non profit organization.

YES!
This is the kind of cultural hub where Gandhi, Malcolm X and Una Marson would gather to have a cup of tea, discuss literature; organize a workshop; plan an event; or simply speak their mind. From a wide selection of books that spans across multiple languages, to the weekly open mic forums and the numerous special events (such as film screenings and guest speakers) held throughout the month, Tia Chuchas has so much to offer. In short, it really is the place «where Art and Minds Meet– For a Change.»

This is the cultural space for all the Valley. Theres so many things going: music, film, books, and guest speakers! Workshops are always happening so please come in! They have been going on strong for 12 years and continue to change the lives of community members and of Los Angeles. Please visit.

I love TIA CHUCHA’s

What keeps people comming back to Tia Chucha’s is the good people and the environment. Its such a positive place to Visit. there is so much to like about this place. there are books, art, cuture, a wealth of information.
The Owners and staff are awsome. Friendly, courtious, loving people that give so much back to the community.
A great place to visit any time of the week and you never know who you will run into.
Visit Tia Chucha’s website for schedule of events.
Owned by the Author of Always Running Luis Rodriguez.

Kudos to Tia Chucha’s for finally getting out of that scary and isolated plaza out in the boonies of Lake View Terrace! Their new location on Gladstone is much better, though it doesn’t compare to their first location on Glenoaks and Sayre, it’s great where it is now. Tia Chucha’s remains as my favorite bookstore and cultural center, holding various events and workshops to bring the community together. I hope they start to make good café drinks again, like they did in the past… someday, now it’s just pot coffee. Again, congrats Tia Chucha’s and welcome home!

Tia Chucha’s café. What to say about it.
I remember it when it was in Sylmar. It was a pretty chill place AND one of the only bookstores in sylmar other then the 2^nd hand store. Its a shame that they moved to such a remote location but thats the way it is.
Pretty much, if you are into pro-​mexican art and literature, this is the place for you.

This is a dear and warm place empowering the community for years. This place provides new ways of thinking and provides the community with a place to learn music, art and express themselves at their open mic on fridays. They offer author readings and sell books that are hard to find.
The staff are very friendly and regardless of race or age or anything you will feel a sense of home and welcoming. This place deserves more support from the community.