Authentic Mexican market opens in Kalispell

For the first time an authentic Mexican market has found a home in the Flathead Valley.  El Caporal is owned and operated by husband and wife duo Carlos and Rocio Lopez. 

Though Carlos was born and raised in the Flathead Valley, his parents are originally from Ayutla, a town in the province of Jalisco, and his mother currently owns the Agave Cantina in Evergreen. The market’s name is an homage to his parents’ former restaurant in Evergreen, Los Caporales, which they owned for 28 years. 

Besides Bozeman and Billings, Kalispell is now one of the few cities in Montana to offer authentic Mexican products, according to Carlos. Products at El Caporal include piñatas, chiles, nuts, candy, drinks, pre-marinated meat, freshly made tortillas, and other dried goods. 

While both Carlos and Rocio have been in the restaurant industry for several years, the couple looks forward to being first time business owners. 

“I studied business at university in Guadalajara, but COVID interrupted my studies,” said Rocio. “It would be great to go back, but we’ll see.”

“My stepdad owns two convenience stores, so we get a lot of good input from him,” Carlos added. 

Carlos said that the opportunity has come with a huge learning curve, especially in terms of managing and obtaining inventory. The couple meets their distributor, De Leon Foods, in Spokane for pickup as due to the distance, no one will deliver directly to their store. 

While Rocio said that most people come in with a shopping list, they can help direct people to find the right product. 

“People really like the chiles and peppers as they use them to cook with,” said Carlos. “The carne is really popular too. We just started doing that and my mom lets us season it over at Agave and then we bring it here.”

While El Caporal is unable to offer pre-made food due to its location, Carlos and Rocio hope to eventually move into a larger location where a sit-down space can be available for those who want to indulge in a taco or two. 

“In the future, if we find a different location, we might be able to have a bigger store, a meat market, and add a taqueria,” said Carlos. 

Their favorite part about owning the market has been getting to know the community and sharing their Mexican heritage with the Flathead Valley. 

“My favorite part about the store has been getting to know so many people,” said Rocio. “People are so happy that there is a Mexican market here.”

“Our regulars leave their phone numbers and invite us over to their houses,” Carlos added. “Everything here is from Mexico and everybody has been very happy about it.”

El Caporal is located at 647 W Idaho Street in Kalispell and can be reached by phone 406-260-4094 or email elcaporalmt@outlook.com. 

Reporter Summer Zalesky may be reached at szalesky@dailyinterlake.com.

    A variety of beverages at El Caporal Mexican Market in Kalispell on Tuesday, Nov. 14. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
  

    Chicharo Frito Con Sal at El Caporal Mexican Market in Kalispell on Tuesday, Nov. 14. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)