My Pueblito: A Flavorful Journey of Inclusivity in Dickinson – The Dickinson Press

My Pueblito: A Flavorful Journey of Inclusivity in Dickinson – The Dickinson Press

DICKINSON — In a span of three years, Erika Vasquez and Raul Guerrero, the co-owners of My Pueblito Mexican Meals Market, have finished a lot with so little, and so they’re solely getting began. With upcoming occasions, collaborations with Dickinson State College (DSU) college students and professors, and plans for a brand new restaurant on the horizon, they’re poised to deepen their impression on the Dickinson group.

Erika Vasquez, the co-owner of My Pueblito Mexican Meals Market, serving to a buyer.
Manuel Holguin JR / The Dickinson Press

After visiting household in Dickinson, Vasquez and Guerrero noticed the potential for a retailer specializing in Mexican meals merchandise, and so they have been proper. Since their inauguration, they’ve expanded and gained recognition from many on the town and help from locals. Their involvement in group occasions, just like the current Trunk or Deal with, additional cements their dedication to the city.

“I’m in love with Dickinson as a result of it opened so many doorways,” Vasquez mentioned. “It’s calm and protected, and the individuals are form.”

My Pueblito caters to a various clientele, together with individuals from non-Mexican or Hispanic backgrounds who’re obsessive about the restaurant’s scrumptious salsas, spicy Mexican sweet, and genuine dishes which can be cooked to perfection on weekends.

Just lately, My Pueblito has obtained individuals from varied Hispanic international locations, together with Nicaragua, El Salvador, Honduras, and Venezuela. With a rise within the variety of patrons from these areas, the shop has expanded its vary of merchandise to incorporate standard objects from these international locations, and due to the varied vary of accessible merchandise, they see it troublesome to proceed to establish as a “Mexican Meals Market” and are shortly leaning in the direction of changing into a extra inclusive “Hispanic Meals Market.”

Dickinson State University Students and Staff pose near altar at El Pueblito

Dickinson State College College students and Employees pose with Dia De Los Muertos altar at El Pueblito
Contributed / Erika Vasquez

Wanting Forward: Progress and Unity

As My Pueblito nears its fourth anniversary, Vasquez and Guerrero have deliberate a giant celebration for Could subsequent 12 months. They may host a free block celebration within the downtown space the place Luchadores, Mexican skilled wrestlers well-known for his or her acrobatic wrestling model and colourful masks, will make an look. The celebration will even characteristic meals, music, and plenty of different sights.

The house owners of a meals truck are planning to take their enterprise to the following degree by opening a full-fledged restaurant. Presently, they function the meals truck solely on weekends, however they’ve bold plans to broaden their menu and providers.

Guerrero envisions a future the place My Pueblito serves as a unifying house, bridging divisions and selling a way of group. “Our purpose is coexistence, embracing everybody, no matter their standing,” he says. To attain this, he plans to create a mural within the restaurant that may embrace photos of households and their hometowns. This fashion, everybody will really feel included and united.

Celebrating Dia De Los Muertos and Mexican Tradition

Just lately, Vasques and Gerrero collaborated with professors from DSU who wished their college students taking Spanish lessons to study concerning the Mexican vacation, Dia De Los Muertos and the rest they may find out about Mexican tradition.

The scholars gathered round Vasques, who informed them concerning the significance and significance of Dia de los Muertos with a passionate and fascinating tone, She delved into the wealthy historical past and cultural significance of Dia de los Muertos, a Mexican vacation that’s celebrated from October thirty first to November 2nd explaining that the vacation is a time for households to come back collectively to recollect and honor their deceased family members, and to rejoice their lives.

Past the vacation, Vasquez spoke on the wealthy tapestry of Mexican tradition, highlighting its variety, hospitality, and robust household ties—values palpably felt by anybody who steps into My Pueblito

Though many purchasers come for the scrumptious meals and snacks, they quickly notice that it isn’t nearly customer support, however somewhat a whole expertise that may preserve them coming again for extra.

Despite the fact that it’s been solely three years, there was no scarcity of hardships for the pair however Within the face of those challenges, Vasquez and Guerrero have remained steadfast, drawing energy from their ardour for Mexican tradition and their want to share it with the Dickinson group.

They’ve labored diligently to create a welcoming and inclusive house at My Pueblito, fostering a way of group and belonging amongst their prospects.

“We’ve been right here for 3 years, and we’re simply now beginning to harvest the seeds we planted,” says Vasquez. “Even when we broaden and open extra areas, this inaugural My Pueblito location is right here to remain.”

Manuel Holguin JR

Manny is a journalist with a various background in communications. Born and raised in El Paso, Texas, he earned his diploma within the DFW space earlier than venturing to New York Metropolis. There he labored as an ethnic media reporter, protecting native points and immigration information. A protracted historical past of dedication to delicate reporting, Manny’s journalistic journey has led him to Dickinson the place he takes on the position of a tough information reporter.

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