LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — It's business the old-fashioned way at a small market on the west side of the valley. They've changed with the times to be COVID compliant. But as 13 Action News reporter Alicia Pattillo reports, it's nice to see some things haven't changed.
"It's a family-type store. You come in, everyone knows each other," said Mario Berlanga, owner of Mario's Westside Market.
LOCATION: MARTIN LUTHER KING AND LAKE MEAD BOULEVARDS
A trip to this market is like a step back in time and everyone knows Mario. His store has been serving this neighborhood at Martin Luther King and Lake Mead boulevards for 25 years.
"I was born in Marble Manor which is a couple of blocks over. So this is my neighborhood also and I love it. It's more of a little neighborhood store where someone passes away and your family wants to put a donation jar on the meat counter. You can't do that at the big box stores," Berlanga said.
HARD-TO-FIND ITEMS
To protect his customers, Plexiglas has been added to service counters and sanitization stations are set up across the store. But what keeps customers coming back are the rare and hard-to-find items.
"I got every part of the pig. There are snouts, tails, ears and lips," Berlanga said.
He also has a surplus of Southern seasonings. Plus popular hot items, where people swing by every day for lunch.
KNOWN FOR CATFISH
"We're known all over Las Vegas for our catfish," Berlanga said.
But anyone who knows Mario, knows his service to the community goes well beyond his market.
"We started the Bolden Little League and this is our fourth year where the kids in the neighborhood don't have to pay to play ball," Berlanga said.
PART OF THE COMMUNITY
His office is covered with the hardware he's earned from the league that helps about 180 kids in the community.
"It's part of being part of the community. Not just a store in the community. Being part of the community," Berlanga said.
