Dispensa Familiar - Small Grocery Store

The small grocery store is just around the corner from the larger bodegona. It is somewhat easier to find what you are looking for here but still no peace of cake. Most trips to the store means that we have to go to both of them because they sell somewhat different things. One thing they have in common is the armed guard at the door. Yes the gun in his hand looks like a sawed off shotgun. He has to stand there for as long as his shift lasts to be sure no one starts anything or leaves with stuff not paid for.

Dispensa Familiar

Small Wal-Mart Grocery Store

 Inside the store is another guard. He is standing just inside the door watching the checkout counters. He also keeps an eye on folks entering the store with backpacks (and occasionally other bags) which all have to be put into a locker before you can shop.

These are the lockers. I have some doubts as to how secure they actually are. It helps that the guard stands there for his whole shift watching the people come and go.

This is the checkout at the front of the store. The yellow flags on top may list the sale prices of items in the store. Do you see Don in this one. You have to sack your own groceries in una blosa (plastic bags you buy or bring with you.)

Below is a checkout counter. It is tiny and difficult to use for all concerned. They do have bar code scanners but have to walk across the store to weigh fruit or vegetables (one scale).

Fruits and Vegetables  -- can you tell from the photo what sells the most???

Tomatoes are a hot item in the stores and in the mercado.


This cold unit is the entire selection of chicken. We have bought some meat here but we really watch the dates on the packages. They will keep chicken in there for a week. In the marcado chicken just sits on the counter with no refrigeration. Not brave enough to try that.

Here is the entire selection of beef.

We have beef often in our lunch but I would be hard pressed to identify the cut of beef. Even this chart does not help much. Sometimes it is as tough as a boot but generally it is well cooked and taste good.

Next are some general photos of items to be found on the shelves. Many things come in plastic bags such as the laundry soap below.

Toilet tissue is an extremely important item here and comes in various extremely light weights. Here in Antigua most public places have a tissue dispenser on the wall. In Xela you have to be sure you carry some with you. The sewer system here cannot handle tissues put into the toilet so they have convenient trash containers for that purpose.

Dish washing soap in a tub. It is actually easier to use this type of soap.

There are no hidden or under the counter shelves for extra stock. This is stacked above and there is more in a room next to the store where deliveries are received.

This is another sample of products sold in plastic bags. Even salt comes packaged this way.