Clarice

How did this place come about and what made it different from the start?
Clarice was born from the desire of a couple of friends to open the ideal space for, in our opinion, the best combination: coffee and literature.

What part of the day, space, or creative process do those who work here enjoy the most?
What we enjoy most is when the place is full and we see people enjoying a good conversation, a good book, or a good coffee.

What has been an interesting challenge that has made you rethink something about the project?
I think the biggest challenge we've faced is the constant increase in the number of cafes and restaurants in the area. And, although we have the advantage of offering a different experience thanks to the bookstore, the competition drives us to always look for new areas for growth and renovation.

What influence, idea, or reference continues to shape the way you work today?
What always guides us is the certainty that within the chaos that this great city can be, there are always those who seek an oasis of tranquility. And our intention is that they find it at Clarice.

What place, project, or person has inspired you recently and why?
Something that has inspired us in recent years is the emergence of new voices in the cultural field, from young writers to independent publishers and distributors, as well as the opening of new and successful bookstores.

If your space could invite someone to collaborate for a day, who would it be and what would you do together?
We would love to invite any of those young writers I mentioned earlier to collaborate with us. We would ask them to curate our monthly recommendations section. I think people would love to know what books their favorite author is enjoying.

Is there an object, corner or detail of the place that has a story that few people know?
On the main wall of the shop, there is a quote from the writer Clarice Lispector (our space is named after her as a tribute). It is the first sentence of her book La hora de la estrella, and it says: “Everything in the world began with a yes.” At Clarice, we are fully convinced of the profound truth of this phrase.

If this project were a city, a book, or a record, which would it be and why?
I think that more than a city, book or record that could represent us, I imagine Clarice represented by a beautiful home library, in the middle of the afternoon, with the fireplace lit.

Answers by Jenny Asse Dayán, co-owner and director of the bookstore.