The closure of a neighborhood Walmart on East Colfax Avenue and Havana Street left the community in that northeastern section of the Denver metro area without a valued grocery store. Many now consider the area a food desert , but a Hispanic market nearby hopes shoppers will consider them an option.
Lowe’s Mercado is located at East Colfax Avenue and Ironton Street in Aurora, two blocks east of the shuttered Walmart. The aisles are filled with culture. Colorful pinatas float above carts filled with Mexican sodas and snacks. But among the unique finds is familiarity.
“There’s great stuff here all over the place!” said Lucille, a frequent shopper at Lowe’s. “You’re looking at a lot of Hispanic brands here, but there are a lot of name brands that people would recognize, too.”
Lucille is able to check off her grocery list at Lowe’s.
She didn’t even know the neighborhood Walmart closed.