John Jaramillo and Selene Nestor co-founded HRA during the pandemic. Nestor said she and Jaramillo saw a great need for an organization to help support Hispanic-owned businesses. “Because as you know, the pandemic affected everyone, but especially minority-owned businesses,” Nestor explained. “And us being Hispanic, that’s where it hits home.”
Hispanic Americans suffered tremendous personal and financial losses during the pandemic. or 2021 survey by the Pew Research Center found that more than half of Latino adults knew a family member or close friend who had been hospitalized or died from COVID-19. Additionally, the survey found that 49% of respondents or someone in their family either lost a job or took a pay cut during the pandemic.
Moreover, a survey from American University’s Center for Latin American and Latino Studies found that Latino-owned businesses were disproportionately affected by the pandemic and that “Latino business owners were more likely to seek, but less likely to receive, financing from non-government sources than white business owners.”
Nestor sees the future of HRA as the premier Hispanic-serving institution that helps not only Hispanics, but all people. “We want to educate and elevate our community about what Hispanic cuisine really is,” she said. “There’s a lot more to it than just tacos.”
The breadth of Hispanic cuisine is on display at Mares Restaurant. Chef Pablo Aya is passionate about infusing local Colorado foods with traditional Mexican dishes.
“I have a really big passion for cooking,” Mares said. “I like to mix with different flavors. I like to mess around with different foods. I love putting smiles on people’s faces.”
Mario Martinez, a chef who works alongside Mares and Aya, explained that venison, venison and locally grown produce such as microgreens are included in the dishes. But Martinez’s favorite dish on the menu is one that reminds him of his Mexican heritage: the cricket taco.
