With the recent opening of El Bodegón supermarket at the northwest corner of Southern Blvd. and State Road 7, Royal Palm Beach has become even more of a food oasis, now with 10 supermarkets and a variety of smaller specialty food outlets serving the community.
El Bodegón has operated Hispanic-themed supermarkets in Palm Beach and Broward counties for more than 20 years. The company already boasted six area stores before opening Supermercados el Bodegón #7 in the Village Shoppes plaza at a site previously occupied by Bealls department store. The company’s web site describes how, “Our Latino roots help us market traditional, high-quality Hispanic products at great discounts.”
El Bodegón Royal Palm Beach opened its doors late last month to offer a wide selection of fresh Latin products, including meats, bakery items, seafood, dairy and more. The store also offers financial services, such as sending money overseas. The meat and fish department offers unusual delicacies, like 12-pound fish heads and pork bellies. The bakery department is one of the area’s largest. In addition, the store includes a large sit-down restaurant with table service.
On a recent day, law enforcement officers were enjoying a midday meal.
“This is my first time here. A bunch of people at work have said good things about this restaurant, so we decided to try it,” Deputy Riccardo Aime said. “They are right, it’s delicious.”
The restaurant offers a wide selection of traditional Latin American dishes with fresh ingredients and authentic flavors. From classic empanadas and arepas to more elaborate dishes, such as ceviche, churrasco and fried mojarra.
“I love the cheesy empanadas,” said Caitlyn Drake. Her dining partner, Stanley Pulito, added, “Not only is this restaurant delicious and affordable, but we come here to shop for the wide variety of meats. Today, we are buying pork bellies.”
Royal Palm resident Juliet Galindo, of Colombian descent, was delighted to have a Hispanic supermarket nearby.
“It’s all about culture. It’s about the feeling people get when they feel at home shopping for familiar items in their native language,” she said.
Her retired mother, Leonor Galindo, had a different take. “The first thing I noticed are high prices. Bananas here go for 79 cents, while at Target I pay only 55 cents a pound, plus I get a 5 percent discount for using my red card, but the prices here on meats look reasonable.”
She is not alone. Many of the locals interviewed like to shop around.
“El Bodegón is now my favorite place for meats and Hispanic specialties,” said Miguel Lopez, a La Mancha resident. “For everything else, I shop at Aldi.”
Katie Nannan-Scaggs had similar thoughts.
“Aldi has great prices, good variety, and who doesn’t love to shop their ‘aisle of shame’ with all the unusual goodies,” she said.
Robert McCarthy of Royal Palm Beach visits a variety of markets.
“I go to the Publix for buy one, get one deals. Aldi is great for price, but I like to shop Costco,” he said. “I think of my annual membership fee as a downpayment for all the free samples I’m going to enjoy this year.”
Now, in addition to El Bodegón, the Village of Royal Palm Beach boasts the following supermarkets: Publix at Crestwood Square, Publix at the Crossroads, Publix at the Groves at Royal Palms, Winn-Dixie, Super Target, Super Walmart, Costco, BJ’s and Aldi. In addition to a variety of 24-hour convenience stores, Okeechobee Blvd. is home to the Island Spice Shop and, just west of the village, Caribbean Plants and Produce.
“All these diverse food sources make Royal Palm Beach an even more desirable place to live,” said Marjaliisa Baugh of EXP Realty. “Nobody wants to drive 20 miles for a quart of milk. I think the wonderful variety of groceries here tends to enhance property values.”
Another benefit of the opening of El Bodegón is that nearby businesses are benefiting from significantly increased traffic at the shopping plaza.
Mikki Approved, who owns a high-end sneaker establishment immediately next door, said, “The foot traffic is heavier. Bealls used to attract an older clientele. Now we see people of all ages, all cultures. It’s good for business.”
Thirty-year resident Kendra Mark has been shopping in the area since the old Kmart dominated the plaza.
“This is the first time there is a grocery store here, and I love it,” she said. “My empanada was delicious, and we really enjoy the variety of meats and produce.”
Her daughter Tammy Carver agreed. “This store is clean, has comparable prices, and it’s just one more reason why I love living here,” she said.
El Bodegón, located at 10201 Southern Blvd., is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven days a week. For more information, visit www.bodegonfl.com.
