RIP NICK GARCIA, Nuestro Hermano Tío y Amigo

On the evening of December 31st, we lost an amazing man- Nick Garcia. Nick was a beloved father, husband, and friend. He was also an irreplaceable vital member of the Stories and Spaceland family. Nick was deeply loved and respected by all and we are forever grateful for the hard work, dedication and joy he brought to Stories, The Regent, The Echo and Echoplex all of these years. Nick made these spaces more like home for all of us. His presence was indispensable and it will not be the same without him as a part of our family.

Nick leaves behind his wife, Leticia and his two sons Ivan and Brian. He was buried yesterday (January 2nd) in Michoacan, Mexico.

Nick was the sole breadwinner of the household and his departure from this earth leaves them not only heartbroken but also stressed about the immediate future. This fundraiser is in support of Nick’s family. It will help cover cost of living (rent, bills, food etc) while the family grieves and finds grounding toward a future without Nick.

To know Nick Garcia was to love him. And if you have ever been a part of any of these communities in Echo Park- Nick has touched your life!

Please help in any way you can.

Thank you,

Stories and Spaceland Fam

(We will share more information on a Celebration of Life for Nick that will take place in the next couple weeks. )

“Many years ago in 2008, Stories was still being built out. I would say somewhere in late summer, or Sept as we were nearing completion (we opened oct 2008) a woman came in through the back with two small children in tow. Brian was a student at 826,the tutoring center next door that had opened earlier that year. In Spanish (she must have been able to tell I spoke Spanish) she asked "when you are ready to open, I offer my cleaning services". I immediately trusted and liked her so I said...you're hired. As soon as we opened, she began cleaning with her husband Nick. We were so broke that at start, I think it was twice per week. Soon, Nick said ..I can fix and help out with other things if you ever need anything. And that's how he became plumber, painter, shelf builder, plant waterer, fix anything and everything indispensable person. Anytime all the time. Soon, I started calling him for my own house stuff and Liz and Alex and Whit too. Never once did he say no to anything and always with good humor and a positive spin not just to the project at hand, but to life itself. “ -Claudia Colodro (Stories Books & Cafe Owner)