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By JENNIFER MOONSONG
Glasgow News 1
Vibrant, ethnic colors, mariachis music, sensational aromas and a grocery full of ingredients inherent to the culinary tapestry of numerous Hispanic countries are what Glaswegians can expect when they walk through the doors of La Nacional, the community’s biggest and most extensive Hispanic market/cafe to date.
Owner Maria Gonzales opened the doors at the new 10,000 square foot location on February 1. From the outside looking in, it might look like an overnight success. To the contrary, the story of La Nacional began in September of 2008 when Maria and her sister Nancy opened their first location in Cave City. It was located in the old Greyhound Bus station, and was less than 1,000 square feet of space. At the time, there was nothing like it in the region, and it began on a wing and a prayer.
“In 2007 I came from Michigan to visit my sister Nancy in Cave City. I grew up in Chicago, and after moving from Michoachan, Mexico when I was three, I always lived in cities. So, visiting Kentucky was so different.
It was not the fist big transition for Maria.
As a young child, when Gonzales first came to the states, the sixth of 10 kids, the entire family had to adapt to a whole new way of life, and did a wonderful job of adjusting.
“We didn’t know the language, we had no family in America. I had everything I needed not everything I wanted, and I am grateful to my parents,” Gonzales said.
Kentucky was much unlike her Chicago upbringing.
“It took a while to get use to driving down the road and seeing a field full of cows,” Gonzales said, laughing.
One of the other vast differences Gonzales saw was that there were no Hispanic groceries, and it was during that fateful visit that a seed was planted between the sisters that they might one day open up such a market in Kentucky.
As an adult, Maria quickly took to life as a hard worker. By the time she was 25 she was a married mother with a thriving valet business that employed 50 people. Sadly though, life soon brought changes. By 2000, the then mother of three young children — Tonya, Alex and Tatiana — had divorced and moved to Michigan to be with her sister, Laura, where she started a new chapter. After getting her GED and going to work in the banking industry, she decided it was time for yet another new chapter, which was to unfold in the Bluegrass.
Tomatoes and avocados are plentiful, as are lots of fresh produce items popular for Hispanic chefs.
Jennifer Moonsong
Tables are usually full of customers of all ages and walks of life in the restaurant portion of La Nacional.
Jennifer Moonsong
The restaurant portion of La Nacional serves an elaborate menu of traditional Mexican fare that Gonzales describes as fresh, fast food Mexican food that she would cook in her own kitchen.
Jennifer Moonsong
In 2007, she took the leap and she and her children became Kentuckians.
They opened the doors of the first La Nacional in Cave City in September of 2008.
“The first day we made five dollars. We thought, well that was five dollars we did not have and we kept positive,” Gonzales said.
“Ignorance is bliss,” Gonzales laughed. “We knew nothing about opening or running a store. Finding vendors that came to Cave city at that time was almost impossible.” But they did find vendors and stocked the small space. Seasonal tobacco workers and people with limited means and transportation who lived near the store also quickly became customers. They would make trips back to Chicago to get products for the store on occasion.
They had just one refrigerator. By 2010 the tiny store was thriving. They had a regular customer base. They added a second refrigerator for produce, and filled it to the brim with tomatoes, avocados and tortillas.
Over the next decade the business thrived and grew, even through the unpredictable climate of the pandemic. On a personal level, Maria faced the loss of both parents and her son. She was depressed, but thriving from a business standpoint because she made work her focus. She started working towards providing her dedicated and large customer base with a bigger and better location. Gonzales began discussions with Larry Glass about the possibility of filling a newly vacated space where the Dollar Store was once located. This year the hard work, dedication and dreams turned real and culminated with the opening of La Nacional at its new location, having come a very long way from 2008, and far exceeding the expectation of any Hispanic market.
Hand painted plates, bowls and platters of Old Mexico can be purchased there.
Jennifer Moonsong
Drinks from the myriad of Hispanic populations served by La Nacional flank the shelves.
Jennifer Moonsong
Hard to find fresh, frozen and canned ingredients from countries near and far can be had at La Nacional.
Jennifer Moonsong
Maria Gonzales, owner of La Nacional, is eager to talk about the products she provides and to help new shoppers find ways to incorporate the ingredients into their daily lives.
Jennifer Moonsong
Glass and business partner Tommy Gumm have owned and managed many properties for over 30 years. Glass has a more hands-on role.
“I make it a point to get to know the local managers and owners, and I ask how can help them to be successful. When she came to me and expressed an interest in the Dollar General location, I really delved into understanding the business. I worked to know what she was offering out of the small 2,500 square foot space and asked what she hoped to utilize the whole 10,000 square foot space for. We knew it was a no-brainer to move forward and retrofit that building to meet her needs,” Glass said.
Glass was not only impressed with her vision for the growth of La Nacional. He was impressed with Maria’s work ethic.
“She has a tremendous work ethic, I have complete faith in her abilities. She is an exceptional, exceptional human being. Maria is the perfect example of the American dream, that if you have the vision, work hard and believe in what you’re doing you can make anything happen,” Glass added.
One side of the store is grocery, filled with produce, baked goods, candies, frozen items and myriad canned and dried goods. At the back of the store a deli provides fresh cuts of meat and seafood, and the other side is a vibrant restaurant.
“I described it as fast food Mexican. These are the dishes I’d make in my own kitchen. There are traditional items, like beef tongue and tripe, but also tacos and guacamole, prepared quickly. Everything we make, we make as its ordered. It’s fresh,” she said.
Owner Maria Gonzales showcases a mamey. The unsuspectingly delicious orange fruit is disguised by a rugged brown flesh.
Jennifer Moonsong
They have a selection of molcajete salsas each day, and traditional Mexican drinks like Agua de Frutas, and Horchata.
Maria is conscious to serve all of the local Hispanic population, not only her fellow Mexicans.
“We offer the most popular products from Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico and many products from El Salvador and Columbia as well,” Gonzales said.
One might think nothing could exceed what she’s already providing, but she already has big plans for expansion.
“The plan is to make this a full fledged International market soon. I am adding a line of products from Asia, including India and the Philippines and Micronesia,” she said. Gonzales is not only proud to know she will serve an international population, but thrilled that many of her customers are locals who are loving the cultural infusion she is bringing to Glasgow, and she is proud to know she has risen from the ashes like a Phoenix more than once to arrive at this place in life.
As for bringing the past with the future, Gonzales has this to say:
“Through hard work we’ve made it to here. I am doing this for my daughters. I always knew in my heart from the beginning that we would grow. It was always my vision to be bigger. Everything good and bad in your life happens for a reason, and if you have a higher power that higher power plays a huge role in how things turn out. You have to believe. You have to believe that no matter what life brings, if it is hardships, or loss or even prison, then you will make the best of it and learn something from it. And take whatever you learn and give that gift away. Three times I’ve lost everything and started from nothing again. I have failed, I have succeeded. I hope if anyone learns anything from my example, it is to learn and grow, and keep growing. Find something good you can do for the world, and do it.”
La Nacional is open seven days a week, from 8 a.m. until 11 p.m. To learn more, visit them on Facebook where they frequently post menu items.
Affordably priced fruits from around the globe can be had at La Nacional, which will soon be Glasgow’s first international market, serving locals, the Hispanic population and those looking for Asian ingredients as well.
Jennifer Moonsong
Cacti, quince and peppers galore are available.
Jennifer Moonsong
Fresh guacamole made to order and fruit drinks are very popular with the growing customer base.
Jennifer Moonsong
This is a paid advertisement. An advertorial offers an in depth vantage point for the reader and advertiser. To purchase an advertorial, call Jennifer at 270-634-9034.
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