In opening Juana’s Cuisine in downtown State College, owner Ady Martinez wanted to bring more than Venezuelan food and culture to Happy Valley, PA. She wanted to create an inclusive and welcoming environment for all who walk through the door of the cozy, lively restaurant on Fraser Street.

Martinez runs the popular establishment with her husband, son and two daughters, who moved to the United States with excitement and anticipation. After her husband accepted a job at Penn State, the family immigrated to start a new future for themselves, learn new cultures, meet new people and explore new opportunities.

She said the move to a new country and the opening of the restaurant has been one of the most fulfilling experiences of her and her family’s lives. While Ady said operating a small business is not easy work, it does come with many rewards.

“Starting a restaurant from scratch was a challenging and rewarding experience,” she said. “We had to navigate a lot of different aspects of the business, from finding the right location to hiring staff to developing our menu. We faced many obstacles along the way, but we were determined to make it work. We put in long hours and worked tirelessly to create a warm, inviting atmosphere.”

Martinez said the family’s sense of pride and nostalgia amid a crisis-stricken Venezuela has driven the business idea.

“It is an opportunity to showcase and spread our rich and diverse cultural heritage during the country’s hardship through food and music, with the goal of making Venezuelan arepas the world’s next food craze, and contribute to the preservation of the traditional Venezuelan folk music,” she said.

Martinez said she uses her grandmother’s recipes in her dishes, which she says creates a sense of homeliness and familiarity within the community. The diverse backgrounds of many people in State College also influences the way she thinks about the menu. She wants to stay true to her Venezuelan roots but also cater to different preferences from outside cultures.

She also appreciates every employee at her establishment, and knows that they come from similar backgrounds.

“A long line of cooks with a deeply rooted passion for the culinary arts, and talented musicians with a heart for beauty and vibrancy inspired the birth of Juana’s, and this is one of the many reasons it is special and unique,” Martinez explained. “It is a family heirloom, a piece of Venezuela history and heritage; a cultural narrative with wide open arms beckoning all to come.”

The menu at Juana’s consists of Venezuelan cuisine made with all fresh ingredients. Popular dishes include Pabellón Arepa, Rumbera Arepa, Pata Pata Arepa and Tequeños. These dishes feature fresh avocado, cheeses, beans and sweet plantain – just to name a few. Martinez takes pride in serving the fan favorite “arepas.”

“Arepas are a perfect canvas for creative combinations of fillings, making them an ideal dish that can be transformed to suit the taste of a wide variety of cultures. We have something for everyone, and we love introducing our guests to the authentic flavors of Venezuela through our arepas,” she said.

Aside from the mouth-watering menu that she and her family have developed, Ady’s favorite part of owning Juana’s is the support from the community.

“Community is at the heart of everything we do at Juana’s,” she said. “It is about recognizing and celebrating the diversity of our community and finding ways to uplift and empower each other, to celebrate our successes and work through our challenges as a collective. At Juana’s, we take pride in being a part of the State College community, and value our connection to the State College community.”

In short, Juana’s is not just a Venezuelan restaurant that dishes out fantastic food. Through hard work and dedication, the Martinez family has created their restaurant into an area where guests can come to enjoy a meal while also being welcomed into a sense of community and comfortability. Juana’s is a space for others to share culture, identity and empowerment.

“When I see so many diverse people from different countries sitting together, that’s what I love about State College, and that’s what I love about Happy Valley,” she said. “It’s that everyone can come to Juana’s and feel at home.”

Martinez says hospitality is more than just a transactional relationship between a business and a guest.

“It's about creating an inclusive and welcoming environment where everyone feels valued and appreciated, and can relax and enjoy themselves while being treated with respect and kindness,” she said. “This goes beyond providing good service and delicious food; it's about creating a memorable experience that leaves a lasting impression. To me, hospitality is a mindset, a way of life. It is treating people the way you want to be treated: with warmth, generosity, and sincerity, without discrimination based on their race, color, national origin, age, disability, gender, sexual orientation, religion, background, or social status. This mindset extends beyond our restaurant walls to our entire community.”

Juana’s is Venezuelan culture and cuisine, and so much more.

Interested in learning more about Juana’s Cuisine? Check them out on Facebook!