The hub of Hispanic culture locally is South Main Street. Not only is Martes' Hispanic Center headquartered there, two grocery stores, a clothing shop and two restaurants add flavor to the neighborhood. Greg Garcia, owner of El Gallo, a Mexican grocery store and taco shop at 145 S. Main St., said this winter's business was better than that of previous years, a fact he attributes to a less mobile Hispanic population. Now, they are interested in working in factories. They want to see a paycheck every week.
Livable wages are another reason people of Hispanic origin are staying in Pennsylvania.
Paulino Herrera, owner of the Mexican grocery store at 200 S. Main St., said his friends have moved to the area, mostly from California, because there are better opportunities here. When the people started moving, they stayed in Texas or California. Here, they can make, seven, eight or higher. Enlarge Customers shop in the store in downtown Chambersburg owned by Paulino Herrera, right. The Hispanic population in Franklin County has more than doubled in the past 10 years, according to U.S. Census Bureau figures released Friday.