PhilaPlace

Ventura (formerly Nuevo Mexico) Grocery and Variety Store

Nuevo Mexico Grocery and Variety Store. Image provided by Historical Society of Pennsylvania

10th and Christian Streets

This corner store, situated in the heart of Philadelphia's "Little Italy" was one of the first of many Mexican-owned businesses in South Philadelphia. Mexicans began immigrating to Philadelphia in the mid-1990s, many of them working in the kitchens of South Philadelphia's innumerable Italian restaurants. More recently, Philadelphia's Mexican Americans have made their presence known by opening their own restaurants, groceries, taquerías and variety stores throughout South Philadelphia, from Christian Street to the 9th Street Market, to neighborhoods south of Washington Avenue.

Update: Ventura Deli has closed as of April 2010