More Latino-owned businesses open in Curry Ford West Main District

ORLANDO, Fla. — Hispanic Heritage Month is not only a time to celebrate culture and traditions, but also to recognize the impact Hispanic-owned businesses have in our community.

One business owner in the Curry Ford West area has created a space where everyone is welcome, can feel at home and can embrace their roots.

For the last five years, Benjamin Colon has poured his heart and soul into his business.

“Mom and dad are both from PR, Puerto Rico, and I’m a proud Nuyorican,” he said.

After being in the hospitality industry for more than 30 years, Colon decided to start his own business and started looking for a spot.

“And I found this place and decided this is what I wanted. And we bought a house across the street. So, we said, ‘Uh, why not just open right here?’” Colon replied.

Colon opened The Commission Beer Chamber with the goal of creating a welcoming environment to share his roots.  

“Puerto Rican households, Latino households, everyone is very family forward. Come on in. Mommy’s always cooking food no matter what time you go,” Colon said.

From the Puerto Rican flag to the Medalla beer, you can find pieces of the island anywhere you look at Colon’s business.

“All the things. If you come in here, everything has a story and it’s 100% genuinely and authentically me,” Colon said.

And if you look closely, you will also find “Abuela’s Sala,” which means Grandma’s living room in Spanish.

Colon says he really wanted this space to reflect his culture growing up, from family pictures on the wall, to a VCR and a full collection of VHS tapes.

“I wanted people when they come in here to feel like they’re home, feel like, you know, this is not a typical bar. And they can be comfortable no matter what, where you come from, who you are,” Colon said.

As a member of the Curry Ford West Main Street, he’s gotten the support of executive director Stephanie Ziglar, who has seen an increase in the number of Latino and Hispanic-owned businesses in the area. 

“The composition in our district is dramatically different than it used to be. So, we’re running at somewhere between 20% and 30% Hispanic and Latino. Back in the eighties, that was 4% or 6%,” she said.

Ziglar says one challenge they are facing as they continue to see more Latino owners open their businesses is ensuring they can help them succeed with the right resources.

“Making sure that we can consistently support them in the ways that they need, supporting beyond making sure that our communications are in both Spanish and English,” Ziglar said.

And that continued support has paid off. “Our Hispanic business owners are some of the most successful in our district,” Ziglar said.

She said about 25% of the businesses in this district also called the district home, as they live within a mile.

“A lot of our businesses are owner-operators. Meaning when you walk into the business, you’re going to see the owner generally behind the counter helping out, cooking, cleaning, whatever. But they’re also living here,” Ziglar said.

For Colon, it’s more than a business, it’s a home away from home.

“You’re safe here. This is comfort. It’s an easy spot to come to. And everyone is welcome,” he said.

According to data from the City of Orlando, Hispanics and Latinos make up 34.9% of the city’s population, with Puerto Ricans being the largest Hispanic origin group in the Orlando metro area.