Ever since hitting the scene in Michigan’s Great Southwest more than a month ago, La Paloma Mexican Food, Store & Treats in downtown Hartford has been a hotbed of activity as the new restaurant and mini-grocery has taken the town by storm. Tonight, Friday, June 29th, they make it all formal with a Ribbon Cutting & Grand Opening Celebration from 5pm until 7pm.
Mother and daughters Maria Gasca and Paloma & Stephanie Mireles first opened their doors in Hartford’s central business district back on May 20th, and the crowds have kept them very busy virtually ever since then.
Anchored at 27 West Main Street in downtown Hartford, La Paloma Mexican Food, Store & Treats is open every day except Mondays and they’re a huge hit with lots of authentic Mexican cuisine side by side with a mini-grocery with lots of specialty foods and treats that often can’t be found elsewhere in the region. The offer both dine-in and take-out options on everything on the menu.
The full-service restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner from 9am until 7pm every Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday and from 9am until 9pm on Fridays and Saturdays. The business worked with Cornerstone Alliance Small Business Services and the Women’s Business Center who will facilitate their ceremonies this evening. The mother-daughters team is 100-percent women-owned and operated, and features such quality treats as Hudsonville Ice Cream and Mexican popsicles, as well as many other snacks and grocery items in the house.
Maria Gasca says, “We have had a lot of support from family, friends, business mentors and the Hartford community, helping us to find the strength to believe in ourselves and push through the obstacles to make our dream a reality.”
Cornerstone Business Development Associate Dubelsa Mata-Garcia says, “It has been inspiring working with these women as they have diligently moved through the steps of creating their business plan.” She adds, “They’ve made full use of the services provided by the Women’s Business Center and microloan program offered by Cornerstone Alliance to get started on the right foot.”
La Paloma opened its doors on May 20th and has been warmly welcomed by the Hartford community. In addition to the restaurant and grocery, they also offer money transfers to Mexico, South America and the Caribbean. You can learn more by calling (269) 308-3281 or by following their Facebook page for information on a broad array of daily specials.
As they did for La Paloma’s team, Cornerstone Alliance Small Business Services provides technical, business and financial assistance to other small businesses with an emphasis on income disadvantaged and women-owned businesses. The Women’s Business Center at Cornerstone Alliance and Microloan Program are funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration.
The photo of the restaurant and store is courtesy of La Paloma Mexican Food, Store & Treats.
