La India Packing Company marks its 100th year in business with a celebration on Saturday, April 27, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the company’s original and current location at 1520 Marcella Avenue.
The company is owned by siblings Elsa Rodríguez Arguíndegui, Graciela Rodríguez Hernandez, and Rubén Antonio Rodríguez, three of the grandchildren of founders Don Antonio and Doña Antonia Rodríguez who opened the enterprise in 1924.
A brief ceremony begins at 9 a.m. with the welcoming words of La India’s CEO and General Manager Arguíndegui, followed by a breakfast sampling until 11 a.m. Msgr. James Harris will offer a benediction at 12:30, after which District III City Council member Melissa Cigarroa will speak of La India’s history and the milestone that marks the day’s celebration. Jessica Contreras will read a proclamation from the office of District 21 Senator Judith Zaffirini.
Lunch samplings are from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Those who wish to partake of the samplings from La India’s Tasting Room Café are asked to RSVP to (956) 645-4698 by April 24.
The public is invited to be part of the event that commemorates La India Packing Company’s history and its service to the community and South Texas as a supplier of herbs and spices.
On Saturday, the corner of Marcella Ave. and Mier St. will be enlivened with the music of guitarist Arnold Villamero and a market of local vendors showcasing their wares – including Palo Blanco Farm & Ranch – healthy power greens and sprouts; FIT2PLANT – succulents, herbs, and tropicals; Catrina Tea – herbal tea blends, lavender sachets, and other herbal products; Rosie Frayer – Salsa Macha; The Curated Raven – scarves and hats; Claribel – Flave’s Natural Lollipops; Milagros – Artesanias Mexicanas; Nov31st (A.M.) – handmade pottery; Miel Express – honey; Herbario Lupita – medicinal herbs; Frontera Beer Garden – Margaritas; Jardin X Contreras Bar – beer; La Fe Tortilleria; Jesus Vicharelli – water color artist; and Pets to Adopt.
The product line of the store Don Antonio opened in 1924 included groceries, sundries, Mexican chocolate, and pírul. Eventually herbs, spices, and blends for chorizo and menudo were added and became the company’s main offerings.
Upon Don Antonio’s death, La India passed to his children – Oscar, María Luisa, Hector, Romeo, Rubén, and Hilda. Rubén’s widow, Lupita Rodriguez, purchased the business from her husband’s siblings in 1990, and there began changes in production and marketing that moved the company forward with sales to HEB and Walmart stores in the Rio Grande Valley, San Antonio, Corpus Christi, the Winter Garden area, Austin, and Houston.
When Lupita’s daughter, Elsa, came on board she took on the task of upgrading packaging and fomenting a marketing strategy that expanded La India’s placement in larger venues. She also established La India’s Tasting Room Café, one of the City’s most visited venues for freshly prepared Mexican dishes, including the Café’s signature mole.
“We take pride in continuing the business our grandparents established a century ago, basing their business model on service, integrity, product consistency, and hard work – surviving the Great Depression, Peso devaluations, and other economic factors that challenged small businesses. We feel fortunate to work where they had worked, and we take inspiration from their legacy of perseverance,” Arguíndegui noted, adding, “We invite our longstanding customers and friends to join us Saturday, April 27, as well as Laredoans who want to get to know us.”
La India Packing Company founders Antonio and Antonia Rodríguez.
Happy 100 Birthday, La India!
Here’s to at least another 100!!!!