COLUMBIA, S.C. — Hispanic Heritage Month is still in full swing.
Local advocates say Hispanic businesses around the community benefit our state’s economy.
“Our food is kind of unique to only us and the islands that surround us. We wanted to show that and bring it to a different community so that we could have a little bit of everything,” Emily Pagan, a manager at A Fuego 787, said.
A passion for cooking and their Puerto Rican heritage, that’s why Pagan says her family business, A Fuego 787, made their return to Columbia.
“We feel amazing that we are able to do this, that our community has supported us so much to a point where we can reopen and actually have a thriving business. We love that we have so many people coming in to learn about our food, to learn about our community, to learn about just what Puerto Rico is and what we stand for,” Pagan said.
Serving traditional Puerto Rican dishes, like pernil, roasted pork and arroz con gandules, yellow rice and pigeon peas, Pagan says it’s important to have diversity amongst businesses in the community.
“I think knowledge is very big and that we should know about different places and communities and different foods,” she said.
The SC Hispanic Chamber of Commerce says there are thousands of Hispanic businesses that help boost the state’s economy.
“Our contribution to the economy of South Carolina is evident, and I have seen it through all my life here," Evelyn Lugo, president of the chamber, said.
Lugo says that number is changing everyday.
“The last number that we looked at was 15,000 plus and you know that those numbers sometimes are not really exactly the amount of businesses because there are businesses that are not registered or incorporated. The sole proprietorship is one that you don't have to incorporate that with the state,” Lugo said.
Officials say they receive calls daily of new startups around our state with owners identifying as Hispanic or Latino. They not only does this benefit our state’s economy but also its diversity.
“The contribution is enormous, and i think that people can learn and appreciate other cultures,” Lugo said.
Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated until October 15th.