New Mi Tiendita Tovar Opens in Sanborn
By Vanessa Rohwer
A new store opened in Sanborn recently called Mi Tiendita Tovar that specializes in Mexican and Central American products. The store opened in the old Pizza Ranch building at 107 West 7th St Sanborn. Owners of Mi Tiendita Tovar, Ana Tovar and Victor Hugo Tovar are doing their part to give those in need of hard-to-find Hispanic groceries a place to shop in Sanborn. Small independently-owned business carries a variety of grocery food and produce with a wide selection of fresh produce, spices, snacks, drinks and other grocery items from Mexico, Central America and specifically items from Nicaragua. They are the only store in the area with specialty items from Nicaragua. They have everything needed to make a homemade meal. The store will be adding new products as well as some American products to it’s inventory.
“Lots of my cheese and sour cream come directly from the land of Nicaragua, people love the cheese!” Ana Tovar shared with us. “We will be adding American products for all my American friends!”
The store opened officially April 7th. Mi Tiendita Tovar is open Monday through Sunday from open 9 am to 9 pm.
Ana Tovar was born in Managua, Nicaragua. Nicaragua is a Central American nation set between the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea . Nicaragua is geographically the largest country in Central America known for its dramatic terrain of lakes, volcanoes and beaches. Ana moved to the states in 2003. She didn’t know how to speak or write the language but chose to learn because it was a great opportunity for her. She was fourteen years old when she moved to Iowa.
Tovar said “Iowa is home for me, Iowa is nice!!”
Ana and her husband Victor Hugo chose Sanborn to open their store because they moved to Sanborn and fell in love with the town. They then noticed there was a significant number of Latinos moving into the beautiful welcoming town and no place close to get items they needed. So they decided to open a small welcoming Hispanic grocery store.
The future plans for the store is to open a restaurant with sitting. Ana said the kitchen needs to be updated to their needs and up to code. The store does offer on occasion tamales for customers to purchase.
Some young boys along with this reporter were excited for the many colorful items in the store and were eager to hear about the chance of a Mexican restaurant in Sanborn. Ana was very welcoming and enjoyed answering inquisitive questions on what items were.
The couple is very excited to be open in Sanborn and find the community very welcoming to their business.