The Latino Spirit Powering Growth In Ambridge

Ambridge, part of Beaver County, is becoming a welcoming place for Hispanics who wish to settle down and contribute to the town’s development. This is reflected in the diversity of its residents, who hail from countries like Guatemala, Honduras, Ecuador, Venezuela, Colombia, and Puerto Rico, among others.

On the town’s main strip, Merchant Street, several Hispanic-owned businesses are thriving. These include La Poblanita, a grocery store owned by a Mexican entrepreneur; Blade Prestige, a barbershop owned by a Puerto Rican; Monrroy Supermarket, owned by a Guatemalan; and La Tienda, run by a Venezuelan family.

Monrroy Supermarket, owned by Nery Monrroy, is well known in Ambridge for its contribution to the local economy. The store employs eleven people from Guatemala, Honduras, Venezuela, and Ecuador. It offers a variety of services, including money transfers, groceries, over-the-counter medicines, meats, dairy, fresh produce, drinks from various Latin American countries, crafts, sports uniforms, and operates a food truck.

Miguel Malla Tinizaray, originally from Ecuador and a supervisor at the supermarket, says Ambridge is a peaceful place to live with a high level of safety. He notes that the Hispanic community has been warmly welcomed by local residents. “That’s really important because it’s allowed us to build a good relationship with the people of Ambridge,” said Malla, who has lived in the town for two years.

“Ambridge is a beautiful town,” Roxana Páez Villacinda said

Roxana Paéz Villacinda, a young Venezuelan woman, shared that she moved to Ambridge after living in Virginia for a year and five months. “Ambridge is a beautiful town. It’s small, the economy is stable, and it’s a great place to save money and invest,” she said.

She pays $950 a month for her apartment, plus electricity, which rarely exceeds $100. The apartment includes two bedrooms, a bathroom, a living room, kitchen, and laundry area. She explained that the average rent for houses in the area ranges from $1,000 to $1,400.

For Carlos Arocho Centeno, a Puerto Rican and owner of Blade Prestige barbershop for the past four years, Ambridge is “a town in constant growth. It was hard at first because sometimes no customers came in, but things have gone well, and I’m grateful to everyone who has worked with me, the Hispanic community, and the Americans who support my business.” Arocho employs two Hondurans, two Venezuelans, and one American.

Meanwhile, Daniela Smith and her parents own La Tienda, a business that combines a bookstore and restaurant on Ambridge’s main street.

“Things have gone very well, and the reception from the American community has been great. The town is quiet, I haven’t seen anything bad happen, the people are friendly, and it really feels like a mix of two worlds,” Smith said.

“We always welcome the Hispanic community with open arms”

Mario N. Leone Jr., the municipal manager of Ambridge and the son of Italian immigrants, enthusiastically acknowledges the steady growth of the Hispanic community. Since his arrival five years ago, he has witnessed firsthand how Latin American families have become an integral part of the local fabric, enriching the town’s cultural landscape.

“We always welcome the Hispanic community with open arms,” he says, emphasizing the close relationships he has developed with the new residents.

The local government has also taken concrete steps to encourage both population and economic growth. One of the key initiatives is an urban beautification project spanning from 8th to 11th Street, which includes the construction of sidewalks and infrastructure upgrades.

“Two and a half years ago, we did something similar between 1st and 8th Streets, which led to the opening of more than 60 businesses. We hope to achieve similar results in this new phase,” Leone explained.

Projects to attract new residents

Another strategy focuses on revitalizing vacant or deteriorated buildings. Some will be restored to attract investors, while others will be demolished to make way for new developments.

“We have nearly a mile of buildings that need to be refurbished or rebuilt. Some already-demolished lots will be converted into public parking or offered for sale,” he noted.

These efforts are supported by financial incentives promoted by Beaver County and the Ambridge Borough government. Grants ranging from $10,000 to $33,000 are available to support entrepreneurs, whether to cover rent during the first year, purchase equipment, or manage operating costs. In some cases, matching funds are required from applicants.

The borough is also assessing the feasibility of a new housing project and has invested in improving three public parks. Plans are also underway for a $15 million sports center, half of which has already been secured through funding.

“We need more people”

Jason Hank, a U.S. citizen who has lived in Ambridge for 23 years, views these changes positively: “We need more people and fewer vacant buildings. That’s what we’re seeing now—people coming in, fixing up homes, opening businesses. There’s real renewal happening.”

According to Hank, the investment in infrastructure and the arrival of new families have brought new life to the town.

“The construction of sidewalks is a visible sign of that revival. From what I’ve seen, the Hispanic community has been warmly received, and I haven’t heard of any discrimination. Ambridge is a safe, quiet place, and I’m proud to live here,” he concludes.

Amid diverse accents and cultures, the Hispanic community is leaving its mark on Ambridge. While their growth may still be gradual, it is steady and meaningful. The blend of entrepreneurial spirit, community involvement, and cultural integration is transforming this borough into a model of multicultural coexistence in Pennsylvania.

Surrounded by trees, quiet streets, and new faces, Ambridge is steadily becoming a place that flourishes for all.

This article was featured in the July-August 2025 print Pittsburgh Latino Magazine.