FIESTA GREETS SHOPPERS AT VALLARTA GRAND OPENING MARKET HAD MET SOME RESISTANCE.Byline: CONNIE LLANOS llanos (yä`nōs), Spanish American term for prairies, specifically those of the Orinoco River basin of N South America, in Venezuela and E Colombia. Staff Writer VALENCIA -- Cupping steaming coffee, Eva Mendoza eagerly waited for the doors of the Vallarta store to open. As the retiree swayed to the beat of mariachi mariachi Traditional Mexican street ensemble. The performer, the musical style, and the musical ensemble are called mariachi. Mariachi music emerged in the late 1700s or early 1800s. music, she said she no longer had to drive to Mission Hills to get her daily dose of warm, handmade hand·made adj. Made or prepared by hand rather than by machine. handmade Adjective made by hand, not by machine Adj. 1. tortillas. ``And the burritos -- have you ever had them? They are like a meal unto themselves,'' Mendoza said. ``It's such a relief to know that they are here now. I can just send my husband over to pick up dinner.'' She was one of almost 500 people who gathered Thursday for the grand opening of Santa Clarita's first Vallarta store -- in a former Albertsons market at Lyons Avenue and Orchard Village Road. Plans to open the store initially drew protests from the surrounding neighborhood, but no detractors appeared in the crowd Thursday. Valencia resident Julie Blackwell proclaimed pro·claim tr.v. pro·claimed, pro·claim·ing, pro·claims 1. To announce officially and publicly; declare. See Synonyms at announce. 2. herself a non-Mexican who loves Mexican culture. ``I heard about people saying things like, `Why are you taking out an American market to put in a Hispanic one?' But look, there are so many white people here,'' Blackwell said. Carmel Baror, a Valencia resident of Israeli descent, said she arrived a little before sunrise for the store's opening because of the giveaways and the inexpensive produce. Several community officials were there for a ribbon-cutting ceremony. City Councilman Frank Ferry thanked Vallarta Supermarkets Inc. for bringing its business to the Santa Clarita Valley The Santa Clarita Valley is the valley of the Santa Clara River in Southern California. It stretches through Los Angeles County and Ventura County. Its main population center is the city of Santa Clarita. The valley was part of the 48,612-acre (19,672. . ``We are lucky that you thought enough of Valencia to come into our community,'' Ferry said. Safety was one earlier concern of some local residents. Vallarta's director of loss prevention, G. Javier Leal LEAL. Loyal; that which belongs to the law. , spoke on security measures Noun 1. security measures - measures taken as a precaution against theft or espionage or sabotage etc.; "military security has been stepped up since the recent uprising" security . In addition to security officers at the entrance, Vallarta locations usually have two or three undercover agents ``to protect from theft, as well as protect our customers and employees,'' Leal said. Human Resources The fancy word for "people." The human resources department within an organization, years ago known as the "personnel department," manages the administrative aspects of the employees. Director Liz Llamas of Vallarta was handed a few job applications as she passed out fliers to customers entering the colorful store. Llamas said having a location in Valencia is a significant accomplishment for the privately owned company. ``To be welcome in a city, despite the rocky start, with such a diverse community is a real breakthrough.'' connie.llanos@dailynews.com (661) 257-5254 CAPTION(S): photo Photo: Music fills the air Thursday at the grand opening of Santa Clarita's first Vallarta market - in a former Albertsons store at Lyons Avenue and Ochard Village Road. Shoppers were greeted with mariachi music and special sales. David Crane/Staff Photographer |
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