When Las Cruces resident Silvia Terrazas looked for videos to rent in Spanish, she found none so she created a store to fill that need. In 2000, she obtained financing from other sources to open Video Exitos and also placed a freezer in the store, which was filled with ice cream and paletas or Mexican-style popsicles.
When visitors would venture into the store, she noticed the ice cream treats were popular and she decided to learn how to make her own Michoacana-style ice cream and paletas, which include fresh fruits of the state of Michoacana in Mexico by taking an ice cream-making course there.
In 2005, she expanded her business and created the ice cream and treat shop, Paleteria La Reyna Michoacana, where she also sold pinatas, candy and other Mexican treats. She also came to The Loan Fund to obtain a loan to construct a building and expand the paletas-making business.
The building has a drive-thru, a fast-food style eatery with indoor and outdoor seating, and offers 19 different flavors of ice cream and more than a dozen flavors of paletas. La Reyna also offers Mexican snacks, such as churros and aguas frescas, elote or corn, and houses services, such as wire transfers and check cashing.
“The Loan Fund has made it easy to get a loan,” said Ms. Terrazas, who is seen as a tremendous leader among Hispanic business owners in Las Cruces, especially among women business owners. She has been named a Star Client of the New Mexico Small Business Development Center Network, among other accolades.
“And Juan Albert is a good person and he’s given me advice, such as when there’s a new program worth considering, or introduced me to people like the Hispanic Chamber. As a small business owner, you always need to be looking for opportunities.”
Find them online at lareynamichoacananm.com or on Facebook @LaMichoacanaNM.