Nearly 1,400 miles separate Fort Dodge from Monterrey in northern Mexico.

But for the past month, Patty Villa has brought the tastes of her home town to north central Iowa.

Monterrey Mexican Store, 1214 Central Ave., specializes in groceries and produce from south of the border.

"I'm trying to get more products from Mexico," said Villa, who has lived in Fort Dodge since 2001.

In that time, Villa said she has worked to provide services to the local Hispanic population, including periodically serving as a Spanish-to-English translator.

Opening a retail store was a logical way to build on that, she said.

With assistance from Lisa Shimkat, director of the North Central Iowa Small Business Development Center, Villa worked 16 hour days beginning in October to get the store off the ground.

"Lisa helped me a lot," Villa said. "She opened my eyes ... people have been very helpful."

Villa works with her mother and co-owner, Patricia Mondragon.

Now that the store is up and running, Villa and Mondragon are still working long hours - the shop is open seven days a week, and the two of them are the only full-time employees.

"We make a good team," said Mondragon, smiling.

In addition to groceries and sundries, Villa offers prepaid cell phone and MoneyGram services in the store.

"Every day I get different stuff," Villa said.

One of the major highlights, however, are the authentic Monterrey dishes she prepares.

Snacks like corn-on-the-cob doused with sauce and chili powder are served along with tortas, which are large sandwiches made with meat and vegetables on freshly-baked bread.

"Right now, we're just take-out," Villa said. "But soon I want to expand and add some tables."

Another business avenue Villa is exploring is travel agency services.

"I was a travel agent in Mexico for 12 years," she said.

Contact Jesse Helling at (515) 573-2141 or jhelling@messengernews.net