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Rachel Tarwo (Image courtesy of CAO)
Rachel Tarwo (Image courtesy of CAO)

Rachel & Daughters African Variety Store grand opening

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Fri, Feb 19th 2021 10:20 am

Rachel & Daughters African Variety Store is set to open this weekend with a grand opening event on Saturday. The new Black woman-owned business will provide a variety of ethnic African food, clothing and other cultural items to the Buffalo community.

Owner of Rachel & Daughters African Variety Store, Rachel Tarwo is a seasoned entrepreneur originally from Liberia. She used to make her own candy in her home country as a way to provide for her family. But in 2002, she had to flee her country with her family amidst a civil war. It was in 2004 when she moved to the United States and made Buffalo her home.

In 2020, Tarwo enrolled in the Community Action Organization of WNY’s (CAO) business development workshop series and graduated at the top of her class. She SAID SHE looks forward to opening the doors to her very own storefront this weekend.

“The entrepreneurial spirit is in my heart,” Tarwo said. “I am glad to have the opportunity to start my business with my daughters and the great support from CAO.”

CAO’s new president and CEO, Thomas Kim, will be in attendance Saturday to celebrate and acknowledge Tarwo’s work and determination.

“Rachel’s work ethic and entrepreneurial spirit exemplify the great opportunities that exist in Buffalo,” Kim said. “It is inspiring to see first-hand how CAO’s programming promotes self-sufficiency and economic development within our community. I look forward to celebrating Rachel and I wish her tremendous success.”

The free event begins at noon at Rachel & Daughters African Variety Store, 883 Jefferson Ave. Community members are required to wear a face mask on the premises and inside of the building. Read more at “CAO Stories: Meet Rachel.”

CAO’S business development workshop series offers a holistic approach to help aspiring entrepreneurs get to where they want to be. By working with CAO and the Masten Resource Center, workshop participants have access to Wi-Fi, computers, meeting space, child care, and even food pantries so they can prioritize their business planning. Their new workshop series on business grant writing runs from Feb. 16 to April 6. Learn more at https://caowny.org/business-development/.

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