What was once a police vehicle garage on 4th & Elm Street in Reading, PA, is now the largest Latino-owned supermarket in Berks County. Super Natural Produce #3, owned by Dominican-born entrepreneur Leopoldo Sánchez, stands as a testament to growth, resilience, and community representation. Many may know him from his first Super Natural Produce on 12th and Pike Street in Reading, but now, he’s literally taken it to another level with this new two-floor location, plus an indoor restaurant.
PM: Leopoldo, this two-floor location is impressive. What does it represent to you?
Sánchez: “It’s more than just a supermarket. It’s the culmination of a dream that started when I worked in family-owned stores in Santiago. I moved to the U.S. in 1992, opened my first bodega in the Bronx, and in 1999, I came to Reading. This store is the result of everything I’ve learned and a gift to the community that raised me.”
PM: What inspired the shift from bodegas to this massive supermarket?
Sánchez: “The community needed it. In 2014, I opened the first Super Natural in a low-income area where it was desperately needed. People said it was risky, but I saw potential. This third store is the biggest yet, with a restaurant, a distribution center upstairs, and space for future production to support other small businesses.”
PM: Would you say this is a Latino-only supermarket? We see products from many different countries.
Sánchez: “No, while we carry products from Puerto Rican coffee to Peruvian spices, Venezuelan flour to Colombian snacks, we also offer ingredients for the Black community’s soul food traditions and Asian staples. I want everyone to feel at home here.”
PM: What role has your family played in this journey?
Sánchez: “My wife and children are my foundation. Their sacrifices and belief in this dream are why Super Natural is possible.”
PM: What’s the vision for the second floor?
Sánchez: “It’s a distribution center now, but soon, we’ll expand it into a production area. My goal is to create jobs, build partnerships, and help others grow. It’s about uplifting the entire community.”
From his early days in a Bronx bodega to owning a multi-location supermarket chain, Sánchez’s story proves what dedication, vision, and community support can achieve. With locations now in Reading, Scranton, and Lancaster, Super Natural is more than just a grocery store. It’s a cultural anchor, a symbol of pride, and a testament to the growing Latino community’s strength and resilience.
“Congratulations, Leopoldo! DJ Chamo King and I, as fellow business owners, your friends, and as Latinos, are incredibly proud of you, not just for what you’ve done for the community but for the love and dedication you show your family. We’ve witnessed how you balance business success with being a devoted father and grandfather. Your example of hard work, love, and resilience is something we all admire. Above all, your faith and spirituality inspire us, reminding us that true success comes from humility, giving back, and walking with purpose.”
Rosa Julia Parra
Editor & Founder
Palo Magazine
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