Our closest grocery store is less than a mile way, a United Supermarket.
Given the demographics of our neighborhood this is not the nicest United in town. On the south side of town a very nice United is located, not surprisingly, in a generally White and more upscale part of town.
Acquaintances of ours refer to our neighborhood United as the "ghetto" United to distinguish it from the "nice" United on the south side of town. "Nice" as in "White." "Ghetto" as in "Hispanic." Many of these same acquaintances will drive to the nice/White United to shop even though they are closer to our "ghetto" United.
But here's the deal. Jana and I love our "ghetto" United. You know why? Our Hispanic neighbors.
The United supermarkets in town stock based upon the demographics of the neighborhood. At the south side United there is a flower market. Our United doesn't have that. The south side United has a fancy cafe. Ours doesn't have that. The south side has a huge selection of organic produce. Ours doesn't. The south side United has sushi. Ours doesn't. The south side United has a huge selection of artisan cheeses. Ours doesn't. The south side United has a huge selection of Gluten free foods. Ours doesn't.
Our "ghetto" United just doesn't have flowers, artisan cheeses, organic food, Gluten free food, sushi or a nice cafe to have lunch.
But you know what our United has that the south side United doesn't have? Tamales. And our most favorite salsa. And breakfast burritos. And fresh tortillas made in the bakery.
This because of our Hispanic neighbors. Our United stocks for our neighborhood. Just like the south side does.
And why is that important for Jana and I? Because Jana and I love Mexican food. And our local United--our "ghetto" United--is the perfect place to shop if you love cooking Mexican food.
So we love our neighborhood United. We never shop at the south side. And when people call our United "ghetto" we just smile. We know the truth.
Ghetto though it may be, for our racially mixed neighborhood it's the best and most beautiful United in town.
