La Perla Jarocha celebrates 20 years in Webster City
20 years as grocery store, restaurant now 5 years in current location
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Starting a business wasn’t part of the plan for Julia Sosa when she moved to Webster City 30 years ago. But when she wanted to prepare traditional Mexican cooking for her family, it became a challenge to locate the product she wanted. Tired of traveling to Des Moines or Hampton, she decided she would open her own grocery store.
And 20 years later, she is still at it.
With her daughter Viviana managing the restaurant, and Julia handling the store, her children and grandchildren all have roles to play. The Sosas explained that the whole family helps, from stocking shelves, to cleaning and waiting on customers. Those family members include Emmanual Rodriguez, Eiden Rodriguez, Sabino Diaz, Julia Diaz, and Lily Diaz. In addition others who have helped get the business up and running incllude Irene Diaz, Maria Sosa, Norma Sosa and Sonia Rodriguez. Today Sonia has her hands full running the Osweilers Women’s clothing store.
"When little, the children helped stock the shelves in the store," she explained.
This family owned business screams family from the financing to the worker bees who keep it open seven days a week. There have been many moves along the way, three moves for the grocery store; two moves for the restaurant.
When she first decided she wanted to open a store, she went to the banks for a loan. But 20 years ago, they were not willing to take a chance. Due to the support and finances of her sisters, Julia opened a small grocery store on Seneca St. to provide some traditional Mexican fare to the community that was growing in Webster City.
The business began to grow. They moved to a larger space for their grocery items, so their second location was where Chicago Style is now located on Second St., by Leon's.
The restaurant business began when they opened a small location at the corner of 2nd St. and Des Moines St. That smaller location worked well for a number of years, however, when the need for an even larger location became apparent, Julia looked at the building that formerly housed Williams Drug. It would work for the grocery, but the restaurant required a lot of extra work.
"It was very expensive to bring everything up to code," she explained, "But this time the banks were willing to loan the money to get it done."
The restaurant has been open in that location now for five years.
The mother daughter team has worked together to expand and upgrade. Last year, new refrigerators were purchased with the help of grants. It was time, as most of the refrigerators were purchased second hand when they first opened.
Originally, there were just a few Hispanic families in Webster City. Buy their customer base has expanded and they have more customers both American and Hispanic. "More people ask how to make the food," said Julia, and she is quick to offer recipes and advice.
When La Perla Jarocha, which means "The Pearl of Veracruz" first opened, there was only one other Mexican restaurant in Webster City. Today there are at least four restaurants, and several food trucks. But, she explained, each of the restaurants has their own recipes, their specialties. She is from Vera Cruz, so her restaurant has food familiar to those who have lived in that area. The same is true of the other Mexican restaurants, she explained.
One is Tex-Mex, another has dishes from Cancun and Southwest Texas, some provide dishes from Guatemala. They might have some items in common, but they are very different styles that show most with their House specials.
The grocery store is open 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week, while the restaurant is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday and on the weekends open until 10 p.m.
In addition to family members, the Sosa's employ an additional five or six people who help between the two businesses.
"We have our regular customers, everyone has their specialties," she said, "We have good months; have had bad months, but we have many loyal customers."
Two years ago, when featured in the DFJ Progress edition, Julia said her dream was to also own a boutique. That dream became more vivid when her daughter Sonia purchased Osweiler's.
"And to Webster City, we have been very grateful," she finished, "We appreciate everyone here."
"We've had children coming to the restaurant since they were little," she said. "We've had customers who have moved away and come back to see us."
"We wanted to start a business, but we also wanted to help," Julia said. Her customers, family and beyond have known her spirit of generosity.
Building a business, one step at a time, is hard for anyone. But this entrepreneurial woman has made her mark on Webster City, and with new generations learning the business, it should be a mark that will be here for a very long time.