Latino nonprofits start their own shops to make helping small businesses
their business
[October 10, 2026] By
TERRY TANG
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — From the pink neon sign on the sunshine yellow wall
to the multicolored Mexican paper garlands, Mission Lotería's storefront
emits cultural pride everywhere you look.
After seven years of promoting local businesses in San Francisco's
predominantly Latino Mission District, the nonprofit has a
brick-and-mortar space that reflects its passion for the neighborhood.
Now, beyond events like taco tours and a Bad Bunny look-alike contest,
it can provide a spot for Latino entrepreneurs and artists to sell their
goods.
Luis Quiroz, Mission Lotería founder, is still nervous about hitting
monthly numbers amid a rough economy in one of the country's most
high-priced cities. But he and his team believe in their — for lack of a
better word — mission.
“What’s the economics term? High risk, high reward,” Quiroz said. “I
feel like we’re at a really good place. Almost every day, people come
in, they’re like, ‘Omigod, I’ve been following you for so long.’”
Despite both a rise in costs and fears around immigration crackdowns,
some Latinos are making it their business, literally, to champion other
Latino entrepreneurs. But beyond just shelf space, they are giving
artists and business people advice, resources and connection to a bigger
audience. The complex political and economic climate has only
intensified their desire to invest their own time and resources in
uplifting other Latino and Hispanic creatives. More places are starting
to recognize Latino businesses and the inherent disadvantages they
encounter.
Yesi Chavez has stocked greeting cards, magnets and “Trader Jose’s”
minitotes at Mission Lotería since it opened just before the start of
Hispanic Heritage Month. It's been a brand boost as store shoppers
recognize her merchandise when she sells at pop-ups. It's also special
to Chavez, who works full-time as a hotel events administrator, to
display alongside other Latinos.
“I feel like Latinos, as far as I’ve seen, they really come together and
try to support their own and try to make sure that, especially, Latina
women are well supported,” Chavez said.
Latinas can face more obstacles in business
Amor Collective, where you can find fun merch, made entirely by Latinas,
like concha bread earrings or Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) candles,
opened in August in downtown Phoenix after quietly operating in the
suburbs. Founder Stephanie Vasquez made the bold relocation move despite
it meaning higher rent. A space next door to her coffeehouse became
available and the shop, in Vasquez's opinion, deserved to be in the
bustling downtown.
The grand opening “was emotional,” Vasquez said. “I will say that the
Latino community truly supports us.”
A decade ago, Vasquez established a nonprofit, Empowering Latina Leaders
in Arizona or ELLA (Spanish for “her.”). She created it after seeing how
underpaid Latinas remain. In fact, Hispanic female full-time workers
make 79% of the median earnings their white counterparts earn, making
them the lowest earning by race and gender, according to a July
quarterly earnings report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
She started monthly pop-up markets for Latina entrepreneurs. A permanent
storefront seemed like a natural next step, so she opened Amor
Collective four years ago in the Phoenix suburb of Peoria.
“An incubator space for business owners to come together, mitigate risk
— so now their risk is so low that they're able to be bold and they're
able to really play in their businesses,” she said.
Over 35 entrepreneurs have signed a one-year lease with Amor. They are
invited to monthly meetings where Vasquez arranges for guest speakers on
topics like public relations and banking. A few members have been afraid
to come because they've had family detained by Immigration and Customs
Enforcement. So Vasquez made them Zoom-friendly, too.
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Store associate Dalia Rangel, store manager Paloma Flores and CEO
Luis Quiroz pose for a portrait at the Mission Loteria store on
Friday, Oct. 9, 2026, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Akash Pamarthy)
 “It's very clear that coming
together as a community is very necessary,” Vasquez said. “This is
where I think it's important for the consumer, whether you have the
privilege of not being afraid to come out, then to come to spaces
like this and support communities that might be in need.”
Cities big and small see economic potential of
Latino businesses
The current mood of Latinos nationwide is divided when it comes to
achieving the American dream. Nearly one-fifth of Latino adults say
it is out of reach for them, according to Pew Research. Nearly 3 in
10, or 27%, believe the American dream doesn’t exist altogether.
Outside of advocacy groups, more cities are acknowledging the
potential of Latino businesses with resources like grants. Quiroz
asserts Mission Lotería — the name is a nod to a Mexican card game —
would not have opened had the team not pitched their vision to a
panel overseeing the city's storefront opportunity grants.
“I think just with the investments that we brought to the community,
to the neighborhood, it felt like a good fit for both parties,”
Quiroz said. “We ended up receiving the grant award for $50,000.
That went really quick with our rebuilds.”
The North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce, which
represents over 25 cities and rural communities 50 miles (80
kilometers) west of Boston, launched the Latino Initiative for
Development of Entrepreneurship and Resources in July. LIDER, the
Spanish word for “leader,” affords Latino-run businesses networking
and educational opportunities to make up for “an access gap.” Some
events and materials are in Spanish.
“We've seen for many years now a growing trend of businesses that
are being formed or led by Latinos here in the region,” said Chamber
president and CEO Roy Nascimento. “Latinos are starting businesses
at three times the rate of the general population.”
The Chamber has not gotten any negative feedback for this initiative
or for being seen as pro DEI — diversity, equity and inclusion.
“Chambers of commerce by their very nature are very inclusive,”
Nascimento said. “Our mission is to advance the economy of North
Central Massachusetts.”
Stores plan to be thriving Hispanic community hubs
Amor Collective will strive to be an event space beyond just
meetings and workshops. A nook with tables, chairs and a television
screen will also be where they have craft classes. DJs have started
spinning tunes on Sundays.
“I'd love to have venue spaces. Like everything our community needs,
I'd love to be a one-stop shop to do that,” Vasquez said.
For Quiroz, who was undocumented as an infant and carries proof of
his legal permanent status, he wants Mission Lotería to feel
welcoming for Latino and Hispanic people whether they were born in
the U.S. or somewhere else.
Future plans include creating content to introduce entrepreneurs via
social media, YouTube and a podcast. The ongoing construction inside
includes carving out a podcast room in the back.
“People can really hear the stories of these business owners and
their journey,” Quiroz said. “Anytime I get a chance to speak to
them, their stories are so fascinating.”
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