Las Americas Expands Into Owasso

In the economy, expansion of a business catering to Green Country's growing number of Hispanic shoppers. Las Americas is a successful Hispanic market in Tulsa with three locations. News on 6 anchor

Friday, January 5th 2007, 6:36 pm

By: News On 6

In the economy, expansion of a business catering to Green Country's growing number of Hispanic shoppers. Las Americas is a successful Hispanic market in Tulsa with three locations. News on 6 anchor Craig Days says now the business is expanding into a Tulsa suburb.

At this grocery store at German corner in Owasso it's Mexico that's getting a lot of attention for shoppers, as in Mexican products.

"This is the McCormick label. You probably know the label already, but this is made in Mexico. It has lime in it," store owner Antonio Perez said.

New owner Antonio Perez bought the store in November and has since steadily added items from Mexico to Las Americas, 200 different kinds so far. Thereâ€™s everything from laundry detergent to Hispanic grocery items to a wide range of Mexican health and beauty items.

"I think we can attract people, we can pull people from Skiatook, Oologah, Collinsville, over in Claremore because it is closer to Tulsa," said Perez.

Perez says this store will still carry most American-made items shoppers have grown accustomed to, but about 20-percent will be Hispanic products. Brands easily recognized by consumers from Mexico.

"When I moved to Owasso three years ago, not many Hispanics lived here. Now you see a lot more and itâ€™s growing everytime."

One of those shoppers is Silvia Estrada.

"Everything we had in Mexico, we have here now, so that's very good," Estrada SAID.

Perez says there is a growing number of non-Hispanics in Oklahoma who have developed a taste and fondness for authentic Mexican produced grocery items. But the overall plan is to cater to Hispanic and non-Hispanic consumers alike.

Right now, Las Americas will concentrate on the grocery business, but the owner says at some point, he may consider putting a Mexican restaurant inside the grocery store. The restaurant would be similar to another Las Americas location in Tulsa.