One of our assignments was to walk down a certain area of South Phoenix , take pictures and describe what we encountered as we ventured through each section. As assigned, we walked down Central Avenue from Roeser to Broadway Ave. As we walked down these streets of South Phoenix, we found that many of the restaurants offered diverse menus. We learned that many of the businesses are family owned and operated ,and more importantly, the businesses reflected the cultures of the people that surround them.
As we walked down Central Ave we found that many of the restaurants here provided a diversity eating. An example of this is found when visiting The Burger Shop. This restaurant sells Mexican food which include: tacos, tostadas, enchiladas, and burritos etc, but also offers an American menu. Aside from typical Mexican dishes, American dishes can also be ordered within the same restaurant. These include Hamburgers, milkshakes, fish & chips as well as other typical American meals.
Chuy's Joyeria and Duarte's Tire Shop are good examples of the types of businesses found in this area. These two businesses are family owned and operated. Going into Chuy's Joyeria, we met and spoke with the owner's daughter. In conversation we found that this jewelry store has been in operation and serving the community for about 13 years. The store owner primarily runs the jewelry store and each member of the family helps run the shop in times that he is not there. Family businesses like this one are common in this community. These businesses are favorable because all profits are shared by the family.
Cruising on down, we found Muebleria La Bodega, which is a furniture store. The windows on the furniture store have Spanish writing on them, opening themselves up to the Spanish speakers of the community. On the side of this building, the owner has painted a large mural in which the profile of a man is depicted along with the Mexican flag on one side and the American flag on the other of him. The words written in Spanish and the picture of both flags are public portrayals of a bicultural community, Mexican and American.
A Carniceria was also found along this strip. A carniceria is much like a butcher shop. They sell meat, Mexican candies, pinatas and other Mexican-cultural goods. Next door to the Carniceria is a yerberia. This establishment sells herbs and other naturally good items as well as spiritual objects and icons. These are all examples of businesses which would not normally be found in other areas of Phoenix. There is a large percentage of Hispanics found within the South Phoenix community. These are only a few examples of businesses that are family owned and operated by South Phoenix residents. These store owners know the people they serve in the community and establish many personal relationships with customers. They provide for their community and in turn, the community provides for them- all working together as they maintain a strong community rich in culture. (Text written by Carolina & Javier)
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