Little Munchkins: A small corner store with big plans
Little Munchkins Produce, a small, family-owned grocery store in the Back of the Yards neighborhood on Chicago’s Southwest Side, is a classic neighborhood corner store.
Teresa Flores, the owner of this bustling shop, runs her small business with the support of her husband, Gilberto, and children, Christopher and Mayte. Little Munchkins has been in operation for 12 years, and the family also runs a nearby supermarket.
While working tirelessly to make her business succeed, Teresa credits 36Squared Business Incubator, a Business Support Organization within the Cook County Small Business Source, for offering valuable guidance.
Advisors such as Erika Gonzalez, executive director at 36Squared, are ready to help.
Notably, Erika’s fluency in Spanish helps build trust with clients like Teresa. Both women are from Mexico.
“If I've had any questions, I talked to you and you advised me,” Teresa told Erika during a recent interview at the store. “Knowing that you have someone who is always there for you, that's really great, because you know you're not alone anymore.”
Teresa immigrated to the Chicago area in 2002. Her first job as a cashier at a grocery store is where she gained key insight into how such a business operates.
At Little Munchkins, 2022 W. 51st St., shoppers can choose from fresh fruit, meat and vegetables, as well as dishes made from family recipes, including carnitas.
“We have everything,” Teresa said. “We try to have the majority of things people need on hand.”
She appreciates that she has an advisor like Erika to identify key next steps for her business.
Teresa connected with Erika in March 2024 while seeking assistance in applying for a State of Illinois grant. The state’s Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity recommended she work with 36Squared, and Erika helped Teresa navigate a detailed process.
While Teresa didn’t receive the grant, she feels prepared for the next opportunity—and knows that Erika is there to help.
“Thanks to the support of Erika, I was able to complete the entire process for applying for a grant,” Teresa said. “36Squared and the Cook County Source program represent great support for navigating these types of processes, where many small businesses might not be able to succeed without guidance.”
Erika stresses that small business owners like Teresa can always turn to The Source for answers to many of their questions.
“Log on to the Cook County Source, and you'll see that you're going to get that information from all the organizations that have programs, workshops, trainings and networking events, which is a great way to connect with more business owners,” Erika said. “There are a lot of programs where you can even get help with grants or opportunities where they can help give your business a boost.”

Teresa has learned valuable lessons at 36Squared-led workshops —including that her own well-being needs to be her top priority in running a business.
“Even though you are the owner, you have to pay yourself first, because the business has to be enough to provide for yourself, and then also for others,” Teresa said. “You have to be well first so that everyone else can work well.”
She also appreciates how the many networking events she has attended through 36Squared have helped her learn from other business owners.
“You hear other people's stories and identify with what they’re saying—like ‘I also had this problem and now I know how I can solve it,” Teresa said. “I am not saying that my business has changed completely, but there are tools that I have been taking into account. I know that I will be implementing them little by little, and that they are things that will help make my business more prosperous, and, above all, that will help me to have better control and a better delegation of all my tasks.”
Teresa is dedicated each day to making her business succeed. She works weekends and sometimes misses family events, but she takes pride in what her business has become.
“It is something that is very satisfying in the long run,” Teresa said. “When you start to see that all your efforts and all your work is paying off, it is something that definitely gives you a lot of satisfaction.”
Advisors like Erika hope to help Teresa and other business owners get more of that precious family time back. Better yet, Erika noted, advising from The Source comes at no cost to the business owner.
“At the end of the day, that is something that you are entitled to,” Erika said. “So don't hesitate to contact our organizations.”
NOTE: This story is based on an interview that took place in Spanish. In 2024, The Cook County Small Business Source offered services in over 16 languages.
Interested in no-cost advising from the Berwyn Development Corporation or any other of The Source’s Business Support Organizations? Sign up today!