Comida and Community
Photo by Brianna España / Carniceria Samber owner Mariah Zermeno posing at the front door of the market.
Carniceria Samber is a Hispanic market in Sparks that is not only a place where people can find excellent food, but also a place where they can be part of an amazing community.
“All of us are proud that we are Latinos here,” said the owner of Carniceria Samber, Mariah Zermeno. “All kinds of people come to eat and I serve them all the same. When people come here to Samber, they always feel like they are at home.”
One of the main pillars of Samber’s foundation is faith.
“Samber came from a dream that I had that stayed in my mind for a long time. I come from a christian family and I’ve always thought it wasn't a religion, it's something you feel in your heart,” Zermeno explained. “I had been asking God for guidance because I was unsure of what to do. At the time there weren't many Hispanic businesses. I had prayed for clarity.”
Years passed and the dream of owning a business persisted. Zermeno put her trust in God and on May 28, 2005, Samber opened.
Since its beginning, Samber has always been a place of unity and family.
“My daughters would stop by everyday when they left school,” Zermeno said. “They came to fill my refrigerators with soda, Jarritos, everything.”
Photo by Brianna España / Carniceria Samber refrigerator filled with Jarritos and other sodas.
Photo by Brianna España / Carniceria Samber refrigerator filled with glass bottled sodas and more.
In 2018, after 13 years of being open, Zermeno’s ex-husband decided to sell Samber.
“I told him to sell it to me. He asked if I had the money and I said I did. I had no idea whether or not I actually had the money but I've alway been a very positive woman,” Zermeno laughed.
Zermeno got her finances in order and applied for her business license.
“When the license arrived in my name, I went to the bank and told the manager that I needed to make sure I had the money. He said to me, ‘you do have it.’ and that's how I became the owner. Thank God.”
Photo by Brianna España / Carniceria Samber store front located on Oddie Boulevard.
18 years after its opening, Zermeno is still as dedicated to Samber as ever.
“I work here seven days of the week,” she said. “I love what I do so I don't feel tired. God gives us a new day every day to wake up and do what one likes. I love working with people. So that's why I do it.”
Samber was able to become the success that it is today because of Zermeno’s hard work and the support of those around her.
“Support? God has given it to me,” Zermeno said. “The community has given it to me. My family has given me a lot of support, they have always been there. People had told me it wasn’t going to work, because of this and that but I told them, ‘God put me here, so here I come’.”
The carnicería constantly has people coming in and out, never forgetting to greet Zermeno before they leave. It is not difficult to see how loved Samber is by its community.
“That's my pride: being Hispanic and serving the community,” said Zermeno.
Written by Brianna España
This article is a product of the Vibrant Voices Mentorship Program, dedicated to equipping journalism students with guidance and opportunities to elevate their academic and journalism careers.
