Patrick
Although I’ve known about this place for years, I never realized how it cool it was until I brought a couple of friends from New York there who work in publishing. It was almost impossible to drag them out of the shop.
La Linterna is an old poster factory that has been operating the same way for close to a century. The vinyl templates are cut by hand before being inserted into the old presses. One is from France and was built in 1870. The other one comes from New York and dates back to 1890. According to the gentleman who showed me around, and who has worked at La Linterna for 35 years, these machines never break down. Just gotta keep them well-lubed.
When I went for the first time a couple of years ago it seemed like a dying business. The only clients were small unknown bands on tour and organizations looking for some retro publicity. Only leftover prints were available for sale. This time was different. La Linterna has revitalized. Lots of prints were available for sale featuring all the top salsa singers, famous soccer players, Star Wars characters, etc.
I say it’s a museum, but it’s not. It’s an ongoing business. Entrance is free and the proud people who work there are happy to show you the shop and tell you how the old machinery work, and of course they hope to sell you one of their fine posters which cost around $25.000 COP each. In my humble opinion they make one fine souvenir worthy at any salsa lover’s altar.
Make sure you swing by!
Carteles La Linterna
Carrera 5 # 2-70 – San Antonio. See it on the map here
Open from 9 AM to 6 PM Monday to Saturday
This is so cool!! And even cooler because the house on the right is our family’s home where my mom was raised! I am planning on moving to Cali from Miami very soon to launch a plant based cafe and eco community center there. Never knew the story about this poster spot, ty for sharing!