When Elizabeth Suarez opened Tienda La Palma in June, she knew she was taking a risk. The specialty grocery store at 203 N. Michigan Ave. in downtown Shelby had been years in the making, and Suarez had invested heavily in renovating the century-old building.
Now, with the help of a $25,000 grant from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s Match on Main program, Suarez says her dream of owning a store that serves both Shelby’s Hispanic community and the broader public feels more secure.
“This grant helps us tremendously,” Suarez said. “In the winter months, Shelby loses a lot of its seasonal workers and tourists. The money will keep us afloat and let us continue serving our community year-round.”
Suarez’s path to business ownership started in Allegan County, where her parents operated a restaurant in Fennville. After that venture closed, the family moved north to Oceana County. Suarez worked alongside them in the grocery and restaurant trade before striking out on her own.
A key step in making Tienda La Palma possible was joining the Michigan Retailers Association in 2024. Suarez needed workers’ compensation coverage to qualify for a Small Business Administration loan that financed her building rehabilitation. Through MRA, she secured affordable coverage quickly, which allowed her to move forward.
“Michigan Retailers Association offered us great rates and the workers’ compensation we needed,” Suarez said. “Without that, we couldn’t have gotten the SBA loan, and without it, there would be no Tienda La Palma.”
That membership also bolstered her Match on Main application, providing a track record of responsibility and community engagement that state reviewers look for.
Today, Tienda La Palma spans about 4,200 square feet and offers groceries, specialty products, and money transfer services to Mexico and Guatemala. Suarez says the store is as much about relationships as it is about retail.
“We do whatever we can to help,” she said. “If someone comes in and wants to learn how to cook tacos, we’ll show them the ingredients and walk them through the recipe. We want everyone to feel welcome.”
Looking ahead, Suarez hopes to add a small restaurant inside the store next year and is exploring a second location in Ottawa County. Online ordering and delivery are also in her plans.
“Without MRA, SBA, and the Match on Main program, I wouldn’t be here today,” Suarez said. “It truly took a team to help bring this business to life.”