Tenderloin’s only bookstore Niebla celebrates Dia de los Muertos

Niebla, the only bookstore in San Francisco’s Tenderloin neighborhood, opened two months ago at 374 Golden Gate Ave., according to Mission Local. Owned by Marífer Ramírez and David García, it offers books in both Spanish and English, along with coffee and pastries.

The bookstore’s name, Niebla, means “fog” and reflects Ramírez’s upbringing in a town surrounded by a cloud forest in Xalapa, Mexico. The store’s inventory is influenced by Ramírez’s interest in spooky and Latino themes, with a focus on Latin American horror stories, especially those written by women.

Niebla is the first bookstore in the Tenderloin since The Magazine, which sold vintage and rare LGBTQ+ magazines and books, closed in early 2023. Ramírez and García are planning to open the store on Sunday, Nov. 1, to participate in the neighborhood’s Dia de los Muertos celebrations, despite the store usually being closed on Sundays.

Ramírez is described as a welcoming presence in the bookstore, greeting customers and offering guidance as they browse the collection. The store’s timing and theme align with the Mexican holiday that honors the spirits of deceased loved ones.