Mexican Heaven

Summary

A new Mexican store, offering a wide variety of authentic Mexican products, has opened in a small town on the Great Plains, bringing joy to the author and a touch of Mexico to the local community.

Abstract

The author of the article expresses great enthusiasm for the opening of a new Mexican store in their small town, which has seen a decline in local businesses. This store stands out as a beacon of hope, providing a diverse range of authentic Mexican goods, from food items to kitchenware and cultural artifacts. The store's proximity to the author's home and its genuine Mexican atmosphere, including Spanish-only labeling and music, evoke a deep sense of nostalgia and connection to Mexico. The author highlights the importance of supporting local businesses like the Lopez family's store, rather than large corporations, and is optimistic about the store's success despite the town's prevalent racism.

Opinions

The author values the presence of small, local businesses and is concerned about their disappearance in favor of large retailers.
They have a strong appreciation for authentic Mexican culture and cuisine, distinguishing it from Americanized versions.
The author is critical of the impact that large corporations like Wal-mart have on local economies and prefers to support family-run businesses.
There is a sense of worry about the acceptance of the new store in a town with evident racial tensions, yet hopefulness due to the popularity of existing Mexican restaurants.
The author is personally invested in the success of the Mexican store, pledging to support it and excited to share the experience with family, such as their granddaughters.

Small things can bring such great joy!

Sometimes it’s the little things that flood us with joy. Such was the case for me this weekend.

In today’s world where people do most all of their shopping on their smart/stupid phones so that they never, ever, ever, ever have to get up off the couch, small-town ma and pa stores are disappearing at a very rapid clip. When I first moved to this little town on the Great Plains of Turtle Island a little over eight years ago it was almost impossible to find vacant retail space. Now, almost half the stores are empty. It’s very alarming.

But there was a ray of sunshine that broke through the clouds this weekend! With so many ma and pa stores closing down a brand new ma and pa store just opened up. And it’s just two blocks away from where I live!

It’s a Mexican store. That’s what the sign says. They sell anything and everything that is Mexican — mostly food. They had their grand opening this weekend so I finally got to go in and shop. I had been eagerly awaiting their opening and as soon as I stepped foot into the store I was utterly overcome with joy. It was like I died and went to Mexico!

Pixabay

They have a produce section, a cheese section, and shelves upon shelves of every imaginable food needed to cook Mexican food. They have tortillas, tortilla chips and all sorts of Mexican snacks and candies. They also have a fresh meat section where special cuts of meat can be purchased or ordered. They have a kitchenware section with pots and pans and utensils and grills made in Mexico. They have Jesus candles. They have Mexican music CDs and Mexican movie DVDs. They have pinatas and Mexican toys. They have Mexican statuary and gift items.

And every label on every shelf in the store is in Spanish! Even the cash register receipts are in Spanish. And yes, they have Mexican music playing. Entering the store I felt like I was instantly transported to Mexico. It was awesome!

During my high school years multiple decades ago I lived just a stone’s throw from the Rio Grande. I grew up knowing what authentic Mexican food was like. It’s very different from fake, Americanized Taco Bell food. Very different. I’ve been missing it ever since.

Did I mention that they have a produce section with every kind of chile pepper imaginable? For the last eight years I’ve had to trek way, way, way out to the Wal-mart (the only grocery store in town) at the very, very, very edge of town in order to buy jalapenos. Well, I don’t have to do that anymore. I just have to walk two blocks to the Mexican store. Standing there looking at all those chile peppers I made a vow to God that I would never buy another jalapeno at Wal-mart. Why give my money to the richest family in America (The Waltons of Wal-mart fame) when I can instead give my money to the Lopez family who run the Mexican store.

I’m guessing that Ma and Pa Lopez are in their early thirties. They have two daughters (maybe around four and six years old) who chase each other around the store. The parents are not all that proficient in speaking English but they try really hard and they’ve got the hugest smiles. (I noticed a well-thumbed paperback Spanish/English dictionary at the checkout counter.)

Mr. Lopez gave me a personal tour of the entire store. Several times he said that if there is anything at all that I wanted that they did not have that he would be more than happy to get it in for me. He was so proud of his new little store.

I was the only customer in the store at the time and I experienced a brief moment of concern. The Lopez’s opened a Mexican store smack dab in the middle of Trump country. There is a lot of racism here in this little town. But then again the two Mexican restaurants are always packed. I prayed that the store would be successful and I vowed to do everything I could to help make it so.

Oh, and I didn’t even mention one of the most exciting things about the new store. In one corner of the store there is an ornate Mexican saddle tied to a sawhorse. Next to it is a step stool so that children can climb up onto the saddle and pretend they are riding a horse! How freaking awesome is that?! I can’t wait to take my granddaughters there.

Oh, I am so, so happy!

(Plus I’ll be having fajitas for dinner tonight!)

Speaking of food…

Mexican Heaven

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