On Monday, May 10, 2021, Michelle Alfaro and Enrique Rodriguez, owners of Maranta Plant Shop, gave away 200 free plants to people who lined up for more than an hour to donate non-perishable food items. The food is being donated to the Hunger Task Force. “I was overwhelmed and fulfilled to see all the happy, energetic people waiting in line around the block to donate,” Michelle said. “I was very, very pleased.” “Maranta,” is a native plant that grows in tropical Central America.
Owners Enrique Rodriguez, who is Mexican, and Michelle Alfaro, who is Honduran and Jamaican, started Maranta Plant Shop as a pop up shop on Milwaukee’s south side and recently opened their storefront in Bronzeville to rave reviews at 1739 N. Dr. Martin Luther King Drive. Hours are Wednesday-Sunday from noon – 6:00 p.m. Maranta Plant Shop can be reached at 414-581-3062.