The owners are from Michoacán, Mexico. The owner is Mr. Gutierrez and his family helps run the business. When it comes to employees, they about 5 to 6 of them not counting the family members. They have the tuck driver(s), people that make the bread, and they have a butcher. The business first opened in 2001. When they first opened the business they were located on US 33, going to Elkhart. After a few years of being there and seeing some success in the business, they moved to Downtown Goshen.
The business serves all people in the community and they very are welcoming. The butcher, Juan, told me that they mainly get Mexican people as customers, and once in a while they get Americans. He also said, that the job environment is very calm and the owners are really into helping the Latino community. The owners are always at there running the business and they have direct contact with their customers.
This business serves as a contact zone and bridge between people of different ethinicities, mainly Americans and Mexicans. Another contact zone is also among the Hispanics that come from different parts of Mexico. Having Mexican restaurants and business in the United States, such as this one, serve as a bridge between Hispanics and their hometowns (Pueblos). It reminds them of home and it brings them happiness. This is exactly how my aunt feels about the La Gutierrez.
I'm really happy that you studied a local Mexican business in Goshen. We have so many wonderful Hispanic shops and restaurants, but non-Hispanics tend to stay away from them, which is unfortunate. I find it really neat that the owners of La Gutierrez relate on a personal level with customers. You also have great information on the employees and what exactly they all do. Stores like this have great potential to be contact zones between different ethnicities - I just wish that more non-Hispanic people would go out of their comfort zones and explore these businesses.
ReplyDeleteI agree with both you and Ellen when you say that Mexican restaurants or business in general serve as contact zones -- especially within a culture very different from their own. I am new to Goshen and so I am unfamiliar with many good places to eat and shop and visit! I am glad you told us about this place! It's surprising how little we all know about the history and background of these places. This particular business sounds like a family affair -- like the success of this business helps determine this family's financial status. We often don't realize these background stories of these businesses.
ReplyDeleteThanks for this insight into la Gutierrez. It's cool to know that it's a relaxed, family-owned place to work. Love how you said at the end that this kind of business serves as a bridge for the new immigrants to their cities back home. I can appreciate that now that I've been to Mexico. I like to buy La Abuelita hot chocolate at Gutierrez;-)
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