A local dream becomes a neighborhood deli-grocery

La Tienda, a new deli-grocery at 5409 Fourth Avenue, is already gaining traction. Owned by Zachary Taylor and Angel Gonzalez, the shop has built a steady following since opening almost six months ago, with customers coming in for daily staples and signature dishes.

“A lot of the people who come, they ask for tortas,” said Angel, the deli’s co-owner and primary cook.

Angel grew up only about a block away from the deli’s location and cites his parents often telling him to go down to the store and buy things as the inspiration for La Tienda’s name, which directly translates to “the store” in English. His knowledge of and connections to Sunset Park played a major role in the decision to base himself and Zach in this area.

“I don’t think there would’ve been anywhere else we would have wanted to go,” said Zach.

Angel had previously worked in a Sunset Park bodega for almost 17 years, and now gets to use his cooking skills to create and serve the dishes on La Tienda’s menu. It’s a sort of full-circle moment, as according to him, “When I was a kid, I used to always play pretend that I had a store.”

Zach and Angel first met each other through a mutual friend. They’ve been together for eight years and married for five, but it was only about two years ago that Angel first brought up his dream of owning a store.

“I’d never thought about opening a business together. It was really his idea,” said Zach. “I’ve worked in restaurant management and have some experience with logistics and compliance with city rules, so he asked me to help with the administration side.”

Before the place was La Tienda, it was a barbershop, up until a fire occurred. Since the renovations in the fire’s aftermath, Angel and Zach have been the first owners to use the location.

“I talked to the previous owner, and he was happy when I said I wanted to open up a deli-grocery,” said Angel. “He thought it was a good idea.”

Now, the couple is working toward a new vision for the space.

As well as adding additional services like aguas frescas in the coming weeks and becoming a New York Lottery retailer in the next two to three months, they’ve also talked about opening up a restaurant in the back.

“We’d have to update our kitchen a little bit, be prepared to execute the volume, so for now we’re just seeing to our daily operations,” said Zach.

Those daily operations are what’s at the heart of the business.

“I think really, the main goal is to just be a stable part of the community, a place that people can go for all the little things they need,” said Zach. “I know that a lot of things are tough right now with regards to the economy, and it’s our commitment to offer the best.”

“I want to have a beautiful store for our customers that’s like an extension of their home,” said Angel. “I’m very grateful for the community and the customers that have helped support us.”