By: Mayte Penman, 313 Strong Coach
Latinx/Hispanic Heritage Month recognizes and celebrates the contributions that Americans from (or with ancestors from) Mexico, the Caribbean, Spain, Central and South America have made to American society and culture and celebrates the many heritages and cultures of Americans.
We recognize that Latinx/Hispanic business owners make significant contributions to the entrepreneurial economy in the United States, and Detroit is a hub of wide-ranging, diverse and successful businesses owned by Latinx/Hispanic people. According to some experts, in the last several years, Detroit’s Latinx/Hispanic community has seen some of the largest growth in entrepreneurial ventures and job creation, with a roughly 34% increase in small business development.
As part of the Latinx/Hispanic Heritage Month this year, we want to express appreciation and recognize the presence of a few local businesses in Southwest Detroit. Each one of them is unique and brings something to the neighborhood that enriches the lives of the people living in the community. Every small business matters!
20 Latinx/Hispanic Owned Businesses in Detroit to Support During Hispanic Heritage Month
1 | Antojitos El Catracho | 4627 W, Vernor Hwy, Detroit, MI 48209
Antojitos El Catracho offers authentic food from Honduras in addition to specialties from El Salvador and Mexico. All their dishes are prepared fresh in-house daily.
2 | ESI Hardware |1240 Lawndale St, Detroit, MI 48209
ESI is a local hardware store owned by a Mexican American from Chihuahua, Mexico. Her passions are to serve her community and supply resources in the area. She delivers her products to people who cannot get to her store because of mobility issues or transportation and to those who are simply looking for convenience.
Opening in 2006, DMEX provides bilingual services and specializes in printing, graphics, silk screening and embroidery.
4 | Mangonadas del Barrio | 1210 Lawndale St. Detroit, MI 48209
Primarily focused on delicious snacks and desserts, the traditional flare is found in every bite. This is the best place in the area to savor snacks prepared in the pure Mexican flavors such as the Mangonadas (their signature treat), Aguas Frescas, Cueritos, Dorilocos, etc.
5 | La Rosita Mexican Restaurant and Supermarket | 7849 Mc Graw, Detroit, MI 48210
The mission of La Rosita is to create a family-friendly environment, where both Detroiters and tourists alike can enjoy authentic Mexican food and groceries. This has been the foundation of La Rosita’s success for the past 15 years. They have the best meat in town, and of course, the best chorizo!
6 | Tamaleria Nuevo León| 2669 Vernor Highway, Detroit, MI 48216
From the northern part of Mexico and serving Tamales since 1957, Tamaleria Nuevo León is located in Detroit’s Mexicantown. Their tamales are handmade and have traveled all over the U.S and the world. Try their salsa!
7 | La Terraza Restaurant | 8445 W. Vernor
La Terraza Restaurant is a fine Mexican dining and entertainment establishment that features various traditional Mexican dishes, seafood, soups and desserts. If you love seafood, this is the place to go!
8 | El Popo Market | 3438 Bagley, Detroit, MI 48216
El Popo Market is a supermarket located in the heart of Mexicantown. Here you will find Mexican products, lots of Mexican snacks, arts and crafts, clothes and artisan masks to stay safe (and fashionable!). Money transfer services are also available.
9 | Mama Coo’s Boutique | 1707 Trumbull Suite C Detroit, MI 48216
Mama Coo’s is an upscale resale and vintage boutique. They also carry handmade artisan pieces. Mama Coo’s offers one-of-a-kind treasures that fit every budget. Everyone should be able to have an original print or a unique painting hanging in their home. Lana’s one-of-a-kind merchandise and her community commitment are amazing assets to the neighborhood.
10 | La Posada Restaurant and Market | 1930 Springwells, Detroit, MI 48209
La Posada started as a Mexican restaurant/mini supermarket offering regional food from the Mexican state of Jalisco with dine-in, catering and carryout services. La Posada also provides money transfer services to serve the Latino working class.
11 | Angel D Upholstery | 1443 Mckinstry Detroit, MI 48209
Angel D has been serving Southern Michigan for upholstery and reupholstery for over seven years with one mission: to bring high-quality upholstery to the Southern Michigan region.
12 | El Rey de las Arepas Restaurant | 7701 McGraw, Detroit, MI 48210
This is a Venezuelan restaurant featuring hearty sandwiches with various fillings and traditional sides. It’s the only Venezuelan food establishment located in Southwest Detroit. It’s a favorite spot of the Detroit Tigers, so if you are looking for an arepas, this is the place to go!
13 | Quince Primaveras | 5688 W. Vernor, Detroit, MI 48209
Quince Primaveras has the largest in-store selection in Detroit of garments for quinceañeras/Sweet 16s, proms and weddings. In addition, they have a large assortment of trinkets and ornaments for baby showers, baptisms or first communions. Hot item: artisan masks for the entire family!
14 | Guadalajara 2 | 1630 Lawndale, Detroit, MI 48209
Guadalajara 2 is a friendly full-service meat market that carries Mexican cuts of meat like milanesa (cutlets for breading) and a variety of pre-seasoned (adobado) cuts. There is also a selection of groceries, including vegetables, sodas, milk, chilies and spices, and everything else that a family buys to meet their basic needs.
15 | Triangulo Dorado | 8065 W. Vernor Detroit, MI 48209
This is a rare restaurant in Southwest Detroit where you will find food from Sinaloa, Durango and Chihuahua (Northern states of Mexico). This is the only place where you will find Sinaloa style sushi. And what about the “gorditas”? So unique!
16 | Bodega Cat | 1981 Scotten St., Detroit, MI 48209
Bodega Cat recently opened its doors to the community of Southwest Detroit. Their specialties are green chicken tamales and pork red tamales. Bodega Cat offers a full-service store in Southwest Detroit with groceries, EBT, money transfers, notary services and copy/fax services.
17 | Lopez Tire Repair Service | 6677 W. Vernor, Detroit, MI 48209
There’s never a dull moment at the Lopez Tire Repair Shop! It’s a successful family-oriented business founded over two decades ago and delivering extensive auto repairs and accessories.
18 | Ideas Marketing | 7129 W. Vernor Hwy. Detroit, MI 48209
Ideas Marketing is a bilingual print shop that also provides design and marketing strategy. They offer professional printing and design including vehicle wraps, banners, logos, business cards, flyers, menus, window decals, T-shirts, brochures, invoices and receipts. Ideas Marketing is a one-stop print shop that has been open since 2017
19 | Lotus Essence | 4746 West Vernor Hwy Detroit, MI 48209
At Lotus Essence, they are happy to help you reveal your beauty to the world by providing shapewear, essential oils, Colombian jeans and compression garments including socks, body shapers and leggings. They want women to feel beautiful inside and out!
20 | Rodriguez Vaquerita LLC | 5698 W Vernor Hwy Detroit, MI 48209
Rodriguez Vaquerita offers Western apparel and accessories for the entire family. Shop a range of styles from traditional Mexican cowboy style to fashionable western and country-inspired casual wear to authentic work gear and charro style. You can even send some money to your family while you are shopping.
*The term “Latinx” relates to people of Latin American origin or descent and is used as a gender-neutral or non-binary alternative to Latino or Latina.
