Passion for Soccer
Armando Benitez, owner of two Latin markets and a restaurant, still plays soccer for fun.
Though it's one of his passions, Armando Benitez doesn't play as much soccer as he used to.
Between running two Latin markets and a restaurant, and raising four daughters, the Chesterfield County resident tries to catch practices a few nights a week after work with his friends at an indoor sports complex off Genito Road. He used to play for an adult soccer league.
"I don't have much free time," he said. "But when I get the chance ... I love to play soccer."
The area's sports leagues are something that Benitez, who was raised in El Salvador and moved to Richmond 22 years ago, enjoys.
Beyond the sports, though, Richmond is the type of place that's not too big or too small, but just right to raise a family and own a business, he said.
Benitez owns Arco Iris Latino Market, which has two locations – Midlothian Turnpike and Staples Mill Road.
Before moving to Richmond, Benitez lived in Austin, Texas.
He said he found it hard to find work there, and had an uncle in the Richmond area who told him this area had a lot of opportunities.
Benitez opened his Midlothian market eight years ago, and he expanded that store earlier this year to include a full service restaurant in the back of the building that serves authentic Mexican dishes.
His daughters range in age from 6 to 19, and he said they love visiting the area's parks and places like Kings Dominion.
"I like this city pretty much," he said. "It's kind of quiet. I don't like big cities like New York."
This article originally published in Discover Richmond. Click here to view more Discover articles, or send us an e-mail to request a copy of the magazine.
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