Immigrants Move into City    

I always pass this little Mexican shop on the corner of 7th Ave & Missouri as I travel to the grocery store.  I’ve noticed it because it has a yellow sign on the street that reads 3 Tortas/ $1 dollar.  I have no idea what a Torta is, but every time I pass the sign I read it and laugh.  I live in Central Phoenix; a very nice, quiet community.  I decided to look at this store because; I always thought it was strange that a little Mexican shop could be across the street from a Starbucks, a strip mall with a dry cleaning, and a place to get your nails done.  Next to the strip mall is an antique boutique that sells fancy dinning chairs and lighting, followed by an old fashioned ice cream shop.  So this little area fits the needs of various people.                                                                                                        

I was a little nervous when we (myself and my husband)  parked in the parking lot. I didn’t know what to expect.  As we entered a woman came to the door and smiled at us.  My husband said hi, but she just smiled.  I walked up and down each aisle.  Many of the products were in Spanish, so I couldn’t make out the exact items.  I had no idea there were many products in Spanish.  Unfortunately nobody was in the store; just us and the clerk.  There was a man in the deli area of the store.  The deli area served many strange looking and smelling items.  The aroma of the store was not too inviting for mine and my husband’s taste.  The woman seemed a little uncomfortable with our presence, she watched us the whole time.  It felt uncomfortable being watched constantly.  So we decided to buy a Coca Cola in a glass bottle and some tortillas (how American, I just know the woman went home and had a laugh with her family. I mean I would.).  I was a little disappointed with the tortillas.  As soon as we got home I had to taste it, and it seemed nothing like the real thing.  There was no difference between them and the ones I get at my grocery store.  However the price of them was lower for the quantity.

After being in this store, I understand why Mexicans visit it rather than a local grocery store.  The store had all their familiar products in their language, so there would be no confusion.  Also, I could just imagine all the uneasiness that they get walking thru the supermarket aisles and so shopping here they would have more of a welcoming feeling.    Not to mention the access to the different types of meat selections that are definitely not at the grocery store I go to.