Bodega Market set to open in downtown Lakeland Saturday

Sara-Megan Walsh, The Ledger
·3 min read
Yohansi Santana is the owner of the new Bodega Market near Munn Park in downtown Lakeland. The grocery and convenience store will celebrate its grand opening Saturday, Feb. 11.
Yohansi Santana is the owner of the new Bodega Market near Munn Park in downtown Lakeland. The grocery and convenience store will celebrate its grand opening Saturday, Feb. 11.

LAKELAND — Eager onlookers have been able to watch the storefront at 106 N. Tennessee Ave. transform over the last six months from the Silver Ring Cafe into a New-York-City style "corner store" under the team of Yohansi Santana and her husband, Amaury.

The couple, which has run the neighboring Divicious Deli and Coffee Shop for more than 12 years, will be opening its Bodega Market on Saturday.

Utilities: Lakeland Electric gets city approval to raise rates

City growth: Tampa developer aims to break ground on Oak Street apartments this summer

"Most businesses would cover up the windows and not let anyone see in - I didn't," Santana said. "Part of my clientele and people downtown have been able to enjoy watching us start from scratch going through the whole process. It's been fantastic to build this with them as in the end its for them."

Born and raised in Manhattan, Santana said many neighborhoods there had corner shops called bodegas — sometimes two or three on a block. The stores offers fresh foods, breads and basic household necessities.

The market will offer coffee, a selection of grab and go items and pre-made sandwiches. There will also be a deli case offering a variety of Boars Head meats and cheeses that customers can order by the pound.
The market will offer coffee, a selection of grab and go items and pre-made sandwiches. There will also be a deli case offering a variety of Boars Head meats and cheeses that customers can order by the pound.

"When I was trying to figure out a name it just popped to me - 'bodega,'" she said. "But it will be a little different."

The market will offer coffee, a selection of grab and go items and pre-made sandwiches. There will also be a deli case offering a variety of Boars Head meats and cheeses that customers can order by the pound. Yohansi Satana said over time she hopes to offer a bit more diversity than traditionally found - for instance olive loaf, that can sometimes be difficult to find.

Open shelving in the center of the store features an array of goods from potato chips to Goya products, rice, beans, drinks and international snacks.

"American people recognize Goya right away," Santana said.

Law enforcement: Lakeland Police Department's new tag scanners check nearly 250,000 plates in 2 weeks

One major departure from the offerings of New-York-style bodegas, the store will not serve hot foods or custom sandwiches.

"What the word bodega really means is a wine cellar in Spain," Santana said.

Customers stepping into the shop will see half a wine barrel embedded in the wall opposite the entrance with the words "bodega Market wine cellar est. 2022." Santana said a selection of wines and beers will be available for purchase once she receives a state license.

Eager onlookers have been able to watch the storefront at 106 N. Tennessee Ave. transform over the last six months from the Silver Ring Cafe into a New-York-City style "corner store" under the team of Yohansi Santana and her husband, Amaury.
Eager onlookers have been able to watch the storefront at 106 N. Tennessee Ave. transform over the last six months from the Silver Ring Cafe into a New-York-City style "corner store" under the team of Yohansi Santana and her husband, Amaury.

Bodega Market will be open Monday to Saturday, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and occasionally until 8 p.m. if there is a special event happening in Munn Park. The market will remain a separate business from Divicious Deli and Coffee Shop so the two stores can operate different hours based on customer demand.

The market will also be expanding its offerings over time by bringing in a variety of local goods for sale. Santana said fresh breads from the Honeycomb Bakery, spreads from Heirloom Jams, and sweets from Chocolate Covered. She hopes to strike up additional partnerships with other locals businesses over time.

"It's a great way we can come together and support each other," Santana said. "People can know this is not only a store with international products but also supporting local small businesses."

Sara-Megan Walsh can be reached at swalsh@theledger.com or 863-802-7545. Follow on Twitter @SaraWalshFl.

This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Bodega Market set to open in downtown Lakeland Saturday