La Tapatia Mexican Market first opened its doors earlier this year in Little Falls, thanks to the hard work and dedication of its manager and current sole employee, Mayra Flores. Flores saw an unmet need in the community for authentic Mexican ingredients and took a chance opening the market to meet that demand.
Even though Latinos make up a relatively small percentage of Little Falls’ population, Flores believed lovers of Mexican cuisine, both Latino and otherwise, would appreciate a local source for staples like dried chiles, beans, rice, spices and cheeses. Although business has been slow to take off in La Tapatia Mexican Market’s first month since opening on April 10, Flores has faith that as more and more people discover the new store, come back and tell others about it, her hunch will pay off.
Recalling her first-ever customer, Flores said a Latino farmer named Mariano came in to see what the store had to offer. The quality and selection of ingredients not just from Mexico, but also from countries such as El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras, also surpassed what Mariano could have found elsewhere locally. Another non-Latino customer has already become a regular patron, often popping in to shop for whatever she needs to cook.
In addition to non-perishable goods, La Tapatia Mexican Market has an ample produce section carrying tropical fruits rarely found in other area stores. Mangoes and papayas are favorites among customers looking to add a touch of authenticity to their dishes. Flores makes an effort to stock as much local, seasonal produce as she can.
Though the market has seen great success already, Flores does have plans to expand operations. Flores said she would prefer to have more space to stock more goods and would love to get a kitchen area to prepare some foods herself, but that the space she currently has is a good starting point for her current needs and customer demands.
Flores shared that one of her favorite parts of running La Tapatia Mexican Market is getting to know the customers and helping them learn to cook new dishes. She’ll chat with shoppers about their spice preferences and suggest different salsas and seasonings to try based on how hot they like their food. Nurturing these personal relationships with La Tapatia Mexican Market’s regulars brings Flores a lot of joy.
“I want to maybe find a different place in the town, because I like this town,” Flores said. “We’ve lived here for four years and the people are very friendly. They like the Mexican items too. And they ask me about the fresh food, tamales and different foods, and fresh meat.”
In just one month, La Tapatia Mexican Market has begun to win over some residents of Little Falls with its little taste of Mexican and Latino culture. Flores’ passion for sharing her heritage through food shows, and she said she can’t wait to see how her humble store grows over time.
Flores lives with her husband, Sael Sanchez, who works at Sanchez Burrito in Little Falls. They have a 3-year-old son, Tyronne, with another baby on the way. When not working, Flores enjoys spending time with her family outside, no matter the season.
La Tapatia Mexican Market is open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily at 1936 First Avenue Northeast in Little Falls.
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