Hola La Latinoamericana

SANDUSKY — When Martha Cano Gonzalez moved to Sandusky two years ago, she saw the need for a specific type of community market. "There is nothing around here to provide for us Hispanics, and even the American community, with the kind of products I offer here," said Cano Gonzalez, a former manager at J H Routh Packing Co. Gonzalez recently left her job to pursue her American dream, which revolved around opening a new business: La Latinoamericana, 1140 Cleveland Road (U.S. 6), in the Sandusky Plaza. "I saw this as a necessity and not a luxury," she said. "I was working 14 hours a day. After a long day, I was not willing to drive an hour to get what I needed, and I knew others weren't as well. So I decided to open up my store." The market pays tribute to many different Hispanic countries — Colombia, Venezuela, Puerto Rico, Ecuador, Guatemala, Dominican Republic, Chile, Peru and Mexico, among many others — offering foods, drinks, treats and more found in these areas. This would include corn tortillas, Mexican candies, sugar canes, sweet bread, green plantains, corn flour, dry peppers, pickled pork skin, a wide selection of beverages and more. It also sells Hispanic-branded toiletries, pinatas and clothing. "Almost everything that you see in here is not available in any other major store around here," she said. "I tell people, 'If there is something you want and we don't have it, we will search for it to bring it here.'" Cano Gonzalez welcomes Americans to try these products. But she really takes pride in stocking items Hispanics enjoyed in their native lands. "When you are away from where you were born and raised, having something from that area is like you are being hugged, and you remember those good memories," she said. "It makes you feel good and comfortable and not so alienated." Opening about a month ago, Cano Gonzalez expressed her sincere appreciation to the community for embracing her. "Everyone has been so nice and accepting," said Cano Gonzalez, a mother to four children. "It makes me feel good quitting my job to pursue this. I came here to Sandusky, and I never thought I would end up fulfilling my American dream, and I am here to stay." People can visit La Latinoamericana from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays and from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekends. "You are going to be happy when you come in here," she said. "It will open your eyes, and you will taste and discover new things that you didn't know existed." What's in a name? La Latinoamericana, from Spanish, translates to The Latin-American Store, Cano Gonzalez said. The store caters to all cultures, namely countries making up Latin America as well as the U.S.