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SPANISH AMERICAN MERCHANTS ASSOCIATION SUCCESS STORY
A big helping of heritage
By: Stacy L. Graham-Hunt, Staff
10/10/2007
MERIDEN -- Nayda Ramirez said it was difficult to make ends meet in her native Puerto Rico, but she has found more opportunity since moving to the United States 11 years ago.
A year ago, she started working at Spanglish Delights - now she owns the restaurant.
"I don't have any complaints," said Ramirez, who took over the restaurant in March. "You can go to every corner and there are people helping you."
Her success story is not uncommon, especially in Meriden , which has a vibrant Hispanic community. Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, but owning a restaurant that offers traditional Puerto Rican food provides Ramirez a chance to celebrate her heritage every day.
"There's a piece of Puerto Rico in here," Ramirez said of Spanglish Delights, 690 E. Main St., which offers such dishes as rice and beans, pasteles and yautia.
President Lyndon B. Johnson proclaimed a National Hispanic Heritage Week in 1968, according to the U.S Census. The observance was expanded to a month in 1988. It starts Sept. 15 to mark the anniversary of independence of several Latin American countries.
Gov. M. Jodi Rell has declared Sept. 15 to Oct. 15 as National Hispanic Heritage Month in the state.
In a proclamation, Rell said: " Connecticut citizens of Hispanic heritage have made countless contributions to the civic life, culture, and economy of our state. ... It is important to celebrate these contributions as well as the richness and diversity that the Hispanic community imparts to our state."
Ramirez said her favorite part of running the restaurant is talking with and meeting new people. Oftentimes, she said,
Hispanics come to her restaurant because they don't know how to make the food themselves. She said people of all cultural backgrounds purchase food from her store.
Ramirez said even though she no longer lives in Puerto Rico , she hasn't forgotten her native culture, because she brought here in her heart.
"You don't lose that," she said.
Noberto Garibaldi, of the Garibaldi corner store on Crown Street , agreed. He said schools are not doing a good job of teaching Hispanic children about their culture, so it is parents' jobs to do it.
He and his father, Gilberto Garibaldi, said they maintain their culture by eating native foods, listening to their music and watching Spanish-speaking TV channels. Noberto Garibaldi said it's not difficult to stay connected with their roots because of the Hispanic community in Meriden , which has grown steadily since he and his family moved to the city.
He said Hispanics have built many shops and businesses, especially on West Main Street .
"We are adding a good economy to the town," he said.
Ramirez said she cherishes the relationships she has built with her customers and is happy to be recognized outside of the restaurant.
"They say, 'Ah, you work at Spanglish.' They recognize you right away," Ramirez said.
Ramirez said some of her food and ingredients are imported from Puerto Rico and that she buys others from a specialty store. She and her sister start cooking at 7 a.m. each day and that the restaurant opens at 10.
Ramón Torres, a Spanglish customer, said he is not doing anything special for Hispanic Heritage Month but believes it should be observed.
"It's important so [Hispanics] never forget where they come from," he said.
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