PHOTO BY PAULA MULLER
President and CEO of the North Shore Latino Business Association, Frances Martinez, and owner of Rincon Macorisano, Basilio Encarnacion, speak in front of the North Shore Latino Business Association on Sutton Street in Lynn.
BY ADAM SWIFT
LYNN — The North Shore Latino Business Association has seen its share of landmark events during its five year history.
At its first annual dinner, the nonprofit welcomed guest speaker Ruben Guerra, president of the Latin Business Association of Los Angeles. And in 2014, U.S. Labor Secretary Thomas Perez visited the group’s office.
But last week, the association saw one of its biggest dreams realized as it closed on the $100,000 purchase of the 1,600-square-foot office it has been renting at 33 Sutton Street for five years.
As owners instead of renters, president and CEO Frances Martinez said the association is in a stronger position as an anchor for the Latino business community in the city.
“We are looking forward to being part of a city that is definitely growing and has a very bright future for its business sector,” said Martinez. “We are very happy to be home in this place, especially in downtown Lynn.”
The group began a capital campaign to help raise funds to buy the office in December. Martinez thanked the community and association members who donated to the campaign and helped make the purchase a reality.
Local attorney and School Committee member Jared Nicholson assisted on the legal side of the transaction.
“It’s really exciting stuff,” he said. “It shows they are here to stay and are set up to be a real anchor in the community.”
The purchase was also made possible through loans from Lynn’s Community Credit Union and the Economic Development and Industrial Council.
Martinez said she expects to see the support for the association from the business community and city officials continue to grow.
“When we started the organization there was a huge need, especially for those who have a language barrier,” she said. “There was not a way to support this group of businesses.”
Today, the association has nearly 300 members. Martinez said membership is not limited to Latinos and about 15 percent of the members are non-Latinos.
“The association means a lot to the city,” said Basilio Encarnacion, one of the nonprofits co-founders and the owner of Rincon Macorisano on Washington Street. “It’s good for the community and all its businesses.”
The association’s membership is predominately based in Lynn. But Martinez said that now that they are secure in a permanent home, there will be greater opportunities to expand on the North Shore.
Adam Swift can be reached at [email protected].