NEW YORK (PIX11) — America has long been known as the land of opportunity for many immigrants.
That seems to be the case for Antonio Ibarria, who’s the publisher of one of the largest Spanish-language speaking weekly newspapers in the New York City area.
For 40 years, “El Especialito” has been a mainstay for Hispanics in our area. And the story of the man who runs it really puts in perspective why this weekly newspaper is so popular.
If you’ve ever walked around northern New Jersey and certain parts of NYC, chances are you have seen El especialito newspaper in the yellow boxes. The weekly newspaper takes pride in exclusively serving the Spanish-speaking population in our area. The man behind it all is Antonio Ibarria.
“The only place you can make it it’s in the United States.”
Antonio arrived in New Jersey from his native Cuba in 1955. Like many other immigrants, he was seeking better opportunities, so he wasn’t afraid of taking risks. In his early years at his new home, he wore many hats. Launching very successful businesses and failing at others. Then in 1985, he launched “El Especial.” He says, “There was a need in the community, and it was my idea, we opened it was great, fantastic.”
A weekly newspaper that sold for a dollar. He worked closely with organizations, businesses, and financial institutions to assist the community with resources, and it was a hit. Then, a year later, he had another idea. “I wanted to do a carnival.”
El carnival de Bergenline was sponsored by the newspaper and ran for 40 blocks through three towns, Union City, West New York, and North Bergen, drawing thousands of people on what he calls “the biggest carnival you ever saw in the country.”
He adds, “I wanted to bring people together, involve the community.”
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El especial thrived up until the mid-90s when sales declined. Antonio found himself making a drastic decision. “I said, let’s give it away, and we started giving free paper.”
That’s when the name switched to “El Especialito”. Since then, the paper has been thriving…. The readers can find a rich mix of stories ranging from human interest to science, beauty and fashion, and health, to name a few.
“We give it away in boxes, “En la Esquina de tu casa.”
6500 yellow boxes to be exact. Placed in 13 communities in the New York City area, serving over a million weekly readers. Antonio, now in his late 80’s, is not slowing down. Every day, he’s ready to work his 9-to-5 shift. Showing the ins and outs of the business to his family, hoping one day they will run it. When asked how retirement looks for him, this was his response….
“I don’t have the answer, I enjoy what I do.”
Antonio says the secret to success is to never be afraid of trying and failing, adding that with perseverance, anything is possible. You can grab a copy of El Especialito when it comes out every Friday.