La Mexicana History
Details about the history of La Mexicana Market.
About La Mexicana Market
La Mexicana Market & Bakery, located at 416 Bear Mountain Blvd. in Arvin, California, is a longstanding community hub in this rural Kern County city, which has a population that's over 90% Latino and a history tied to agricultural labor and Mexican immigrant culture. The business specializes in fresh produce, meats, traditional Mexican groceries, and baked goods—particularly sweet breads that locals consider among Arvin's best. It has become a symbol of the area's vibrant heritage, even inspiring public art like a 2015 mural on a nearby wall featuring an iconic woman in a mariachi costume representing the market.
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Market Details
Market Name
La Mexicana Market
Location
Arvin, California
Origins and Early Ownership
The site's roots trace back to the mid-20th century as the Arvin Lumber Company, a key fixture in the small farming town when Arvin was even more sparsely developed with 'practically nothing' beyond basic services. At some point in the late 20th century (exact date unclear from available records), the lumber yard was sold and repurposed into what became La Mexicana Supermarket, shifting focus to serving the growing Mexican-American community with authentic goods.
By 1982, the Garza family—likely early Mexican immigrant entrepreneurs—owned and operated the supermarket. On March 15, 1982, they handed over the keys to Eduardo and America Treviño, a couple who expanded its role as a neighborhood staple. The Treviños immediately emphasized fresh, high-quality items like vegetables, fruits, and meats, aligning with Arvin's agricultural economy and the needs of farmworkers and families. This handover marked a pivotal moment, reflecting the generational transfer of businesses within Arvin's Latino community amid the town's demographic shift from majority white to predominantly Latino in the late 20th century.
Evolution into a Market & Bakery
Over the decades, La Mexicana transitioned from a general supermarket to a full-service Mexican market with an attached bakery (often called La Mexicana Bakery). The bakery became especially renowned for pan dulce and other traditional sweets, drawing loyal customers from Arvin and nearby Lamont. By the early 2020s, it was under the ownership of Husni Aizah, who gained local recognition in 2023 by winning a bakery equipment contest for a divider rounder, highlighting the business's commitment to quality baking tools.
Community Role and Recent Notes
As one of Arvin's few independent Mexican markets, La Mexicana remains essential for affordable, culturally relevant shopping. It accepts programs like WIC and EBT, and has hosted community events. Today, it's praised for friendly service and freshness, embodying Arvin's resilient, overlooked history of Latino entrepreneurship in a town long shaped by marginalization and farm labor.
Community Impact
La Mexicana Market serves the Arvin community.