Angel Cronosco works at Melo’s with his aunt, who owns the business. Cronosco says the market has served the neighborhood’s large Dominican population for over 30 years.
“Over in
Dominicans were the second most populous Latino group in
Melo’s employees are proud of their roots. Dominican pesos are proudly taped on the cashier’s desk. Raggaeton music blares from a boom box to which Angel’s aunt unabashedly gyrates behind the cashier’s desk.
There are over-ripe bananas on the shelves. The aisles are full of varieties of cornmeal, beans and hot sauce. A back wall is lined with candles adorned with the image of Christ.
Cronosco describes his journey from his native
“Me and my four brothers came to Jamaica Plain when I was 9 years old,” he says.
Cronosco and his brothers legally immigrated to the
“Some went through
Cronosco says he feels fortunate to be an
“Because of the opportunity our older generation gave us, me and my brother’s kids will be born American citizens,” Cronosco says. “It’s all about looking for the American dream.”
No comments:
Post a Comment