by Susan Michaud
After moving to the Kremmling area from Summit County two years ago, Paula Talco began to notice a need for services to the Hispanic community.
“Kremmling had some things, but not everything that one needs, like the spices. People were driving to Silverthorne, and some were going as far as Denver, for items they used often,” she recalls.
So on June 30 of this year, she and her sister Celena Hering opened La Mexicanita Grocery Store at 113 W. 3rd Street next door to Last Time ‘Round Thrift Shop. Since then, they have visited with customers who hail from New Mexico to Peru. But the store also serves local customers who are looking to make authentic Mexican dishes at home and want specialty items and sodas not easily found elsewhere. “We also have people from Steamboat and Granby who come here to shop,” Talco notes.
Another service Talco noticed was missing in the community was the ability to transfer money to loved ones in Mexico and South and Central America. “If we didn’t have the service here, people would have to drive to Silverthorne to transfer money.”
Right now, they have Sigue but are looking to get more vendors who can offer better services or competitive pricing for the transfers. “We are hoping to make Maxi and Western Union available here soon as well as the ability to cash checks,” she adds.
“La Mexicanita is something different from other stores in the community. Like if you need a piñata, you can come here and get one.”
Paula and Celena grew up in Summit County, and Celena still lives in Silverthorne. She commutes to Kremmling for her shifts while she looks for a place in Kremmling to move to.
In addition to running the store, Paula continues to drive a school bus for West Grand School District, and Celena manages Talez Roofing, which offers installation of all types of roofing, roofing repairs, and seamless gutters.
La Mexicanita is open Tuesday through Sunday from noon to 7 p.m. However, on Tuesdays and Thursdays, the store is closed from 3:30 – 5 p.m. while Paula drives her bus route.
The store’s phone number is (970) 724-6006.
Talez Roofing can be reached by calling Celena at (720) 503-0505.
