Today we’d like to introduce you to Severiano, Luis and Francisco Covarrubias.
Severiano, Luis and Francisco, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
My father came to the US on his own at the age of 14. Like so many others, he came to the US seeking greater opportunities and a better life. Even as a young man, my dad had an entrepreneurial spirit. He always told himself that he would open a store someday. My mother recalls him saying that when she first met him and I also remember him telling me his goal when I was a child.
One quality I admire in my dad is his relentless work ethic and it is a trait that inspires me to make a difference. Despite limited opportunities and mundane jobs, he never complained. He worked his way up to being a manager at different positions he held. I never saw him miss a single day of work during my life. While I was growing up, he worked various factory jobs and as a parts delivery driver before a favorable chance was presented to him.
In the summer of 2010, my dad was approached by some of his cousins with a unique opportunity. They were selling a Latin American supermarket in Alpharetta, GA. His cousins knew that it had always been a dream of his to own his own business so they contacted him to see if he was interested.
He brought up the idea to my mother, my brother and me to discuss as a family. It was going to be tough, however, because we were all living in Chicago, IL while the business would be in Alpharetta, GA. Since it was a grocery store, a type of business that can’t be managed remotely, we knew that he would have to move over there to make it happen. My brother and I were in school and my mother couldn’t leave from one day to the next either so we would be separate for periods at a time. Ultimately, we decided that it was the right move. It was my dad’s dream and we all supported him fully.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
My dad was able to secure funds to purchase the store in July 2010. It was a tough challenge at first since he would be taking a huge risk and financial burden. Also, he would have to leave the comfort of his home in Chicago and throw himself into an uncomfortable situation.
The first year was especially tough because he had no previous experience running a business of his own. He would have to learn everything on the job. At the beginning, the store was posting losses most months. He thought that things weren’t going to work out and that he would have to shut the place down. We supported him in any way we could during the stressful times. He also had family members in Georgia that had experience managing stores who he was able to rely on for guidance when starting out.
Although things were tough at first, he was able to adapt and adjust to run things in a more efficient manner. When I went to college, I decided to study advertising and I have been able to apply what I’ve learned towards growing the family business. As my brother and I got older, we were given more responsibility in managing certain aspects of the business. Since then, we have been able to manage the business more productively, create great relationships with loyal customers, and maintain a greater presence in the Alpharetta area.
Please tell us about Supermercado El Torito.
Supermercado El Torito offers the highest quality meats prepared to customers’ preferences, Mexican products, fresh fruits and vegetables, imports from various Latin American and Central American countries, and weekend specials at a value price.
We are known for being one of the only authentic Mexican and Latin American supermarkets in the Alpharetta, GA area. Many people often visit us specifically to pick up some of our delicious tamales, roasted chicken, popular guacamole, carnitas (“Mexican pulled pork – small pieces of braised pork”) and barbacoa.
What sets us apart is how much we care. To us, Supermercado El Torito is not simply a business but our way of playing an important role in people’s lives and the community. We take great pride in offering exceptional service and providing a welcoming environment to everyone that steps through our front door by helping them find whatever they need. We are open 365 days a year so that our customers can always rely on us for their everyday needs.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
I asked my dad this question and he said that his favorite childhood memories involve riding his bike back in Mexico. He grew up very poor on a humble ranch and spent much of his time helping out in the fields and taking care of the animals. He didn’t have much but he was able to save up money to get himself a bike. He recalls enjoying the freedom to explore the area and visit his grandparents in his spare time using his bike.
Contact Info:
- Address: 5445 Atlanta Hwy 9, Suite B., Alpharetta, GA 30004
- Phone: 770-664-8785
- Email: supermercado.torito@gmail.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ElToritoAlpharetta/
- Other: https://www.yellowpages.com/alpharetta-ga/mip/supermercado-el-torito-4914595
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