In the town of Perry, the Census reports more than 30% of the population is Hispanic or Latino. And some members of the business community feel it’s beginning to represent that.That includes local business owner Ivette Drahos. Her boba tea shop, named Lazy Goose, is closed on Sundays and Mondays, but she was kind enough to show us around.”A lot of people love this, especially members of the Hispanic community,” Drahos says as she points to a picture of a drink called the Mangonada.For the last two years, Ivette’s shop on 2nd Street has been tantalizing taste buds and serving as another success story for the town of Perry’s growing Latino population.”If seeing a Latino business owner is going to push somebody else, I’m happy I’ve done that,” she said.Ivette’s boba shop is one of 150 to 200 businesses affiliated with the Perry Chamber of Commerce, according to executive director Lynsi Pasutti.”Has there been a growth of Hispanic or Latino-owned businesses in the Perry area?” KCCI’s Ben Kaplan asks.”Yes, I would say there has been a growth in business ownership in general in Perry, but definitely in that sector of Latino-owned businesses,” Pasutti responded.Pasutti says you just might have to look further than Perry’s downtown to find some of them.”So, we think of storefront businesses. Those are easy to see, like restaurants and retail. But there are so many other construction and autobody shops that you might not know exist, but are doing a lot of great work in the community,” Pasutti said.Ivette is proud her shop is among them.She says Perry is a better place now for the Latino community than it was when she and her mom joined her sister here two decades ago.”She made us go to school. We went to college and everything. We’ve been doing good.” Ivette says.”And now you own your own business,” Kaplan points out.”Now, I own my own business, yes,” Ivette says proudly.Ivette also wanted to shine a light on the organization Hispanic United for Perry, which both she and Pasutti are both members of.She says they’re always searching for new members. They participate in several activities annually, including the Latino Festival in late August, and try to raise money to help provide scholarships for kids heading off to college.
In the town of Perry, the Census reports more than 30% of the population is Hispanic or Latino. And some members of the business community feel it’s beginning to represent that.
That includes local business owner Ivette Drahos. Her boba tea shop, named Lazy Goose, is closed on Sundays and Mondays, but she was kind enough to show us around.
“A lot of people love this, especially members of the Hispanic community,” Drahos says as she points to a picture of a drink called the Mangonada.
For the last two years, Ivette’s shop on 2nd Street has been tantalizing taste buds and serving as another success story for the town of Perry’s growing Latino population.
“If seeing a Latino business owner is going to push somebody else, I’m happy I’ve done that,” she said.
Ivette’s boba shop is one of 150 to 200 businesses affiliated with the Perry Chamber of Commerce, according to executive director Lynsi Pasutti.
“Has there been a growth of Hispanic or Latino-owned businesses in the Perry area?” KCCI’s Ben Kaplan asks.
“Yes, I would say there has been a growth in business ownership in general in Perry, but definitely in that sector of Latino-owned businesses,” Pasutti responded.
Pasutti says you just might have to look further than Perry’s downtown to find some of them.
“So, we think of storefront businesses. Those are easy to see, like restaurants and retail. But there are so many other construction and autobody shops that you might not know exist, but are doing a lot of great work in the community,” Pasutti said.
Ivette is proud her shop is among them.
She says Perry is a better place now for the Latino community than it was when she and her mom joined her sister here two decades ago.
“She made us go to school. We went to college and everything. We’ve been doing good.” Ivette says.
“And now you own your own business,” Kaplan points out.
“Now, I own my own business, yes,” Ivette says proudly.
Ivette also wanted to shine a light on the organization Hispanic United for Perry, which both she and Pasutti are both members of.
She says they’re always searching for new members. They participate in several activities annually, including the Latino Festival in late August, and try to raise money to help provide scholarships for kids heading off to college.
