Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin, second from left, presents awards to three young Latino entrepreneurs during ribbon-cutting ceremonies last week in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month. From left are, Jaime Rodriguez, owner of El Paso Mas Grande; Brandon Rodriguez, owner of Paradise Tattoo Shop; and Daniel Cuevas, new owner of the 40-year-old iconic business Banana Split Ice Cream Shop.
Courtesy of city of Aurora
Three young Latino entrepreneurs opened business last week in their hometown of Aurora.
In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin presented the Mayor’s Award of Excellence to the graduates of Aurora High Schools for opening their businesses in town and investing in their community, according to a city press release.
Jaime Rodriguez, owner of El Paso Mas Grande grocery store; Brandon Rodriguez, owner of Paradise Tattoo Shop; and Daniel Cuevas, new owner of Banana Split, celebrated their new business ventures with ribbon-cutting ceremonies Thursday and Friday.
Jaime Rodriguez, 39, is a graduate of Aurora Central High School who grew up in his family’s grocery business on Aurora’s east side. He is expanding the family’s popular brand by opening the new grocery store on Aurora’s west side at 2134 W. Galena Blvd.
Brandon Rodriguez, 24, is a graduate of East Aurora High School and has been called one of the best tattoo artists in the Chicago area. His tattoo shop is at 559 High St.
Cuevas, 28, is a graduate of Aurora Central Catholic High School, a USMC veteran, and a recent graduate of Aurora University. He fulfilled a childhood dream by assuming ownership this year of the 40-year-old iconic Banana Split at 820 Church Road.
