Spartanburg's Latinx community adds to countywide economic vitality, sustainability and culture

September 15 through October 15, dedicated as Hispanic – or the culturally-preferred term, Latinx – Heritage Month, serves to educate and remind us of the Latinx contributions to our country.

Latinx Heritage Month celebrates the culture and history of more than 20 Latin and Spanish-speaking countries and their connections and contributions to the U.S.

Events have been held countywide this year, either digitally or with masks and social distancing, by Alianza Spartanburg – the Spartanburg Hispanic Alliance – and the Spartanburg County Public Libraries.

Across Spartanburg, Latinx business owners have contributed greatly to our business community and to the economic well-being of our entire county.

Tiendas – the Spanish word for store, typically, where authentic and traditional food is found – have established loyal customer bases. Places like Lupita’s Tienda Latina on Asheville Highway and Acapulco Tienda & Pandaderia have become integral parts of the Latinx community in our county.

Businesses like Nancy’s Hair Express in the Arcadia community, home to the highest population of Latinx residents in the county, Gina’s Hair Salon and Janet’s Salon & Boutique not only provide all the services of a salon, but offer a sense of community for their patrons.

Latinx flavor – literally – can be found at restaurants across Spartanburg County. Mezcal’s tapas-style with rich Mexican flavors is a popular spot Downtown, and the restaurant is behind Spartanburg’s annual Cinco de Mayo celebration, aiming to recognize the many Latinx cultures represented countywide. At La Tablita, Mexican favorites are accompanied by unique, traditional Ecuadorian offerings like ceviche and plantains. And Burrito Hub’s location across from the Spartanburg County Courthouse, along with its fast-casual food and atmosphere, have made it a favorite, especially for the lunch crowd.

Araceli Hernandez-Laroche, Associate Professor of Modern Languages at USC Upstate, and Assistant Chair of the university’s Languages, Literature & Composition Department, was named OneSpartanburg, Inc.’s 2020 Inclusion Advocate of the Year. Through her work in our community, Araceli has committed herself to inclusion countywide and proper representation for the county’s Latinx population.

“Hispanic Heritage Month gives us an opportunity to celebrate and recognize the innovative contributions, resiliency, and talent of our Hispanic-owned businesses across Spartanburg. As Inclusion Advocate of the Year, I also urge us to consider the composition of our corporate and nonprofit boards to ensure that they are all representative of our multilingual, diverse communities,” she said.

Spartanburg’s Latinx community, its entrepreneurs, volunteers and community leaders, have helped our county evolve into what it is today. We at OneSpartanburg, Inc. will continue working to amplify the stories and cultures of all our county’s residents, and to ensure representatives from all of those communities have opportunities for prosperity.

“As OneSpartanburg Inc., continues to work towards an inclusive community we seek to elevate the voice of our diverse community,” said Dr. Russell Booker, Diversity & Economic Inclusion Consultant for OneSpartanburg, Inc. through his agency, One Acorn. “Our Latinx community plays such a critical role in enhancing the diverse culture of Spartanburg while significantly contributing to its economic vitality and sustainability.”