Without Cynthia Diaz there is a very real chance downtown Plant City would be unrecognizable. Her influence over the past decade has reshaped the way many local residents think about food and what it means to shop local.
When people think of downtown many think of Diaz’s homey brick cafe on the corner of Reynolds and Palmer
Street. Succinctly named, “The Corner Store,” her visionary business is an organic cocktail of fresh goods and produce and savory made to order dishes.
“People are realizing the standard American diet is making them sick,” Diaz said. “We’re helping show them another way. And we’ve always made it our mission to be welcoming and supportive of our community. We want our store to be a home away from home.”
After graduating from the University of Maryland and then later obtaining her master’s in rehab counseling at San Fransisco State, Diaz threw herself into helping others. She worked for non-profits and government services and in her free time took a job at a farmer’s market in San Fransisco, fueling her lifelong love of food.
As a child she remembers spending countless hours mesmerized in front of the television as Julia Child laughingly explored new recipes and effortlessly created mouthwatering bites while inadvertently passing on a life motto to Diaz: “You don't have to cook fancy or complicated masterpieces – just good food from fresh ingredients.”
In the City by the Bay the cultural push for healthy food was well underway by the time Diaz and her husband Joe Diaz relocated to Florida. Upon first arriving Diaz assumed she would transition into a counseling job in the Sunshine State. Nothing, however, seemed like the right fit. When she realized she was pregnant she decided to take time to simply be a mom.
But her passion for healthy, organic and local food caused her to constantly drive across Tampa Bay searching for the ideal products. Others began inquiring as to where she was going to get her goods and finally she had enough. It was time Plant City had a place were wholesome items could be found under one roof.
“I wanted to help make this community healthier, to help promote healthy lifestyles and show people that food that is good for you can still taste amazing,” Diaz said. “This beautiful corner storefront had been practically empty for a decade. How was that even possible? We just knew it was the perfect spot.”
Unlike many other downtown businesses, The Corner Store has stood the test of time. Diaz has everything from local produce to specialties from across the globe. Ingredients that are impossible to find in a grocery store are displayed for all to see on wooden shelves. The restaurant features a menu created by Diaz and her staff. Some signature items have been the same for over a decade, others change with the season.
From its inception, The Corner Store has hosted a variety of groups, local organizations and specialty events. Because of her support, many special events and young groups have had a platform upon which to grow. When someone in the community needs a helping had, Diaz and her store are there to assist however they can.
Her customers watched her son Joe Thunder Diaz grow up and then, years later, watched her second son Jaxon Diaz come into the world. When he was diagnosed with cancer the community rallied together to support the family they’d come to adore. He was recovering and then the announcement came the cancer was back. The battle began anew.
“The support from the community for him, for us as a family, it’s been fantastic,” Diaz said. “It is truly humbling to see. So many customers dropped off cards for him and gifts. They ask how we’re doing, they check in. They have loved on my family for years, I hope they know how much we love them back.”
The support from her family, friends and the constant prayers from the community have helped pull them through the last two years, Diaz said. She’s learned to focus on life by taking one day at a time, sometimes even one minute at a time. No matter how dark moments may feel, she reminds herself plastering on a smile can help get you to the next moment where things will have a brighter hue.
Cry in the shower if you have to, but don’t give up. Thanks to her faith and the encouragement of others, she said she is able to remain hopeful of tomorrow. She said she hopes her appreciation for life is something that has rubbed off on the people she’s met and if not, she recommends people tune in to her son’s favorite show for a daily dose of optimism.
“One of the things I think people need more of in their life is Sesame Street,” Diaz said. “There are so many life lessons that can be found in that show. When days get dark, I turn on Sesame Street. I think the world would be a lot better if more people did that.”
