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Dishing up Venezuelan Cuisine in Colorado

Loirissell Agüero and Betzy Rincón had an instinct that their traditional Venezuelan food, handmade with love, would be a hit in metro Denver. These immigrants are the heads of their respective families, and arriving in the U.S. in 2015, they felt a deep desire to improve their futures and those of their children. Their business, ArepasCO, started in April 2020 when the pandemic hit; they were left without work and needed alternative income.

“The idea of offering our Venezuelan food was born, with authentic flavors of our traditional dishes and highlighting the best of it,” said Loirissell. “What we love about our business is that it allows us to share our culture with our customers. They can have an unforgettable experience that connects them with our culture, which is friendly, helpful, generous and authentic.”

The menu, served out of a food truck, includes Venezuelan arepas, patacones, cachapas, empanadas and American burgers. They offer fresh, fast and delicious food that can accommodate different dietary preferences including vegan, gluten-free, vegetarian and children. In keeping with the restrictions imposed by the pandemic, they are also intrinsically safety-conscious. “We offer quality service that allows our customers to have a pleasant and safe dining experience.”

The two partners participated in a Latino Entrepreneur contest, of which Alpine Bank was a part. “We love knowing that we have an ally to take our business to the next level. Alpine Bank believed in our project, they gave us their support and today we are very grateful,” said Loirissell. “They’re a trustworthy financial entity that helps and supports small businesses.”

“We love knowing that we have an ally to take our business to the next level.”

ArepasCO Venezuelan Kitchen

ArepasCO Venezuelan Kitchen is a Small & Mighty contribution to the community of Denver. To learn more about our Small & Mighty business highlights click here.

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