A new grocery store is set to open in Mount Greenwood, offering residents access to fresh produce, Mexican staple ingredients, and desserts such as ice cream and paletas. El Pueblito Abarrotes and Ice Cream will begin serving customers on Friday at 10639 S. Pulaski Road.
The store’s name, which means “little village grocery store,” reflects owner Mary Mejia’s goal of establishing a neighborhood gathering place. “I like that name because that’s what I want to be — a neighborhood spot. Not just another store but a neighborhood spot,” Mejia said.
Mejia explained that the business will have two sections: one for ice cream, paletas, and milkshakes, and another for groceries. Mejia, who is 23 years old and from suburban Burbank, has experience in the local community through her work at Sunrise Breakfast and Lunch, a restaurant owned by her father Alejandro Mejia located nearby.
“I really like this area,” she said. “Being in Sunrise, I got to meet a lot of people. Everybody is so nice here. They have helped my dad and me out a lot.”
When the space near her father’s restaurant became available for rent, Mejia decided it was an opportunity she could not pass up.
“I thought this would be such a nice place to have something sweet in the neighborhood,” she said. “Something with groceries and stuff like that. A place where kids could come in, the dogs could come in, something family-style.”
Mejia credits her father as her inspiration for opening the store. “My dad has always been in business. I just grew up around that small family business” atmosphere, Mejia said. “Watching my dad be an owner, I always thought to myself it would be nice to open something of my own.”
She added that she aims to keep prices affordable while creating an environment where everyone feels comfortable and welcome: “I want this store to be part of the neighborhood.”
El Pueblito Abarrotes and Ice Cream will operate from 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays.
“One of the phrases I always say is, ‘I love people.’ I am such a people person,” Mejia said. “Even though I can be a little shy at times, I really do love people and interacting with them. So hopefully this can be their to-go place if they are around the area or ever need something.”
The shop will include indoor seating for customers who wish to enjoy their treats inside.
