MINNIE ESPINOSA: Life’s race has winner in Nixon ‘country girl’

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Minnie Espinosa is quick to tell you she’s just a country girl from Nixon.

But when it comes to Gonzales business icons, especially women, it’s hard not to include her on the short list.

For the past 53 years – yes, more than half a century – Minnie has been coming to work at the same location at 209 St. Lawrence Street where she is now the owner of Toni’s Food Store, a business she and her husband David inherited from her father-in-law, Antonio.

The fourth of nine children, Minnie got married at age 18 and started her career in the family business in 1958 when Toni’s was a grocery store and meat market that later evolved into a restaurant. While she briefly entertained thoughts of going to night school to further her education, two boys and two girls early in the marriage made such pursuits impractical.

Now, at age 72 (“and a half” she’s quick to add), Minnie is as young as she feels.

“Thanks to God, I feel great,” she proudly proclaims. And as testament to her vigor, she adds with some swagger, “I’ll run a race with you anytime. I’m just an old country girl.”

While her health helps determine her attitude toward her daily pursuits, work is its own reward.

“I love doing what I do,” she declares. “I love the people. Meeting so many people, that’s my great passion.”

To be sure, her other passions are her children: Oldest son Michael, daughters Sarah and Orlanda, and youngest son Gabriel, who is a Catholic priest in Wharton.

And her children watch out for Mom, contending it’s time for her to start slowing down.

“My oldest daughter asks me, ‘When are you gonna quit?’ I say, ‘You know, I’m gonna think about it’.” But her children know differently.

“I feel good. Thanks to God, I don’t have anything wrong with me. I’m very healthy,” Minnie says, quietly dispelling any thoughts that retirement is imminent. “God left me here, gave me a heart to love and serve Him.”

And serving her neighbors. “Serving our fellow humans. That’s the name of the game,” Minnie says.

But she admits that more time off is an attractive prospect. “I’m trying to slowly get away. I’m trying to enjoy life more, if the good Lord wants me to.”

Part of enjoying life more occurs on those occasions Minnie gets together with her six sisters for girls’ night out.

Modestly enough, and something many would undoubtedly challenge, Minnie is quick to point out that the success of her business is not due to her.

“I don’t want the credit, the credit was already here.

“People from all over the world – from everywhere – people who have moved away, they come to Toni’s. Now they say Miss Minnie’s. Of course, everybody calls me Miss Minnie,” which is confirmed by autographed photos on display from people like Tim McGraw, Reba McIntyre, Nolan Ryan, Faith Hill, Tony Bennett, Lori Anderson, Geraldo Rivera, Rita Moreno, Garth Brooks and many more paying homage to “the country girl from Nixon.”

“When you give with your heart, you just do it because you want to,” she says as testament to her philosophy of reaping what one sows.  “You can’t imagine what God does for you.

“I remember a lot of times we just ate beans and potatoes or this and that because there was not enough food,” Minnie recalls, “but we were never hungry, thanks to God. Never. Now I’m rich in the grace of God.”

Minnie’s business acumen has served her well and serves as a sound foundation for those embarking on a business career.

“Treat people the way you’d want to be treated. How would I want to be treated? If you were me, how would you want to be treated?”

Minnie’s approach to business and to life not only keeps her humble, but keeps her coming back for more.

“I don’t think I’m a businesswoman, but I’m doing my job,” she says with a laugh. “I really enjoy my work. If I had it to do over again, I wouldn’t change a thing.”

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