CLEVELAND — It might be cold in Cleveland, but at 787 Market in Old Brooklyn, a trip down the aisles can transport you to those island vibes.
"I would say it's very warm, no pun intended," owner Harry Quiñones said.
The Quiñones family's mission is to bring the best of Puerto Rico to Northeast Ohio. The market sells everything from Puerto Rican products and groceries to prepared foods and coffee.
So what's in a name? Quiñones says anyone who has spent some time on the island would recognize those three digits.
"787 is the area code for Puerto Rico," he explained. "It's like saying 216 here in Cleveland. That's the origin of the name."
Harry grew up here in the Old Brooklyn neighborhood as the first of his family born outside of Puerto Rico. However, he spent summers and holidays back in his family's Island hometown.
"My parents always instilled the culture in me, and so the language at home was always Spanish," he said. "I guess we never lost our roots."
And part of those keeping those roots so strong, Quiñones says, is spending time with loved ones, over food.
"From the food to the beverages to the snacks even to some of the alcoholic drinks, they play a key role," he stated, "especially in our festivities and our holidays."
That's why it was important for Quiñones and his family to bring a taste of home here to The Land. Shoppers come from far and wide to take advantage of the wide range of traditional favorites sold here, from tropical and Caribbean produce and flavors like passion fruit, guava, and tamarind, to the snacks that take them back. A sesame candy called Ajonjoli is a favorite.
But there's one thing in particular Harry says people just can’t get enough of: their Pan Sobao. With the dough brought in straight from Puerto Rico, he baked a special batch to make sure we could taste the golden, sweet bread it before it sold out.
Soon, it was out of the oven and into the hands of eager customers -- so eager, in fact, they line up waiting for it. 787 Market sells more than 120 pounds of the bread every day.
On the menu for us today? Un Sandwich de Mezcla, which Quiñones describes as a finger sandwich eaten before the main meal at gatherings. The filling is a deliciously savory mix of cheese whiz, pimento peppers evaporated milk, and spam.
And what better way to wash it down than with a coffee? Here, the traditional Cafe con Leche is made with beans grown in Puerto Rico, and of course, plenty of froth.
If you learn anything from 787 Market, it's a reminder that the small things -- from a good sandwich, to a warm drink -- can bring you back to a place you love, no matter the miles.
"It gives me a sense of pride," Quiñones said. "We're very happy with the way things are going, and we just want to solidify our position in this community. We are very grateful for the opportunity, and we feel blessed."
