South Tucson, Ariz.—Tucson Tamale, a Tucson-based company which makes hand-made healthy tamales for national distribution and local sale,is pleased to announce the expansion of its production facilities. Tucson Tamale and Diamond Ventures have partnered in the purchase and renovation of the 13,671-square-feet, the former Malone Meat and Poultry Facility at 102 W. 29th Street in South Tucson.
The asset sold for $955,000 ($70 PSF) and extensive renovations underway for the new occupant.
“Sherry and I and all of us at Tucson Tamale are excited to continue our growth with this move to a larger facility,” said Co-Founder Todd Martin.“We are proud to be one of Tucson’s homegrown companies that’s expanding. Diamond Ventures and a local team came alongside Tucson Tamale to make this significant next step possible.”
Malone Meat and Poultry was founded in 1963. Malone’s owner is retiring and Tucson Tamale will utilize the industrial building with cold storage on 29thStreet.
“Commerce Bank, which provided the financing for the project, has been a great partner in the acquisition and planned renovations to adapt this facility in South Tucson for Tucson Tamale” said Bill Kelley, CFO for Diamond Ventures and head of the company’s commercial portfolio and acquisitions.“Mick Jensen and his colleagues at Planning and Development Services in South Tucson also worked very effectively with our project architect Vince Catalano,” said Kelley. “It has been terrific facilitating and helping this deal come together.”
Mayor of South Tucson, Bob Teso had this to say about Tucson Tamale and Diamond Ventures investing in South Tucson. “South Tucson is open for business. As a community we have an entrepreneurial spirit. South Tucson is located close to downtown Tucson, with easy access to I-10 and convenient to the University of Arizona, Davis-Monthan Air Force Base and other major regional destinations. We look forward to having Tucson Tamale and Diamond Ventures as corporate community partners in the City,” said Teso.
Frank Arrotta with Tucson Realty & Trust represented the seller in the transaction.
"It is so rewarding to be part of a local win-win-win for our community," said Arrotta. "A sort of passing of the baton from a local retiring legacy, Malone Meat and Poultry, to successful, expanding Tucson Tamale in partnership with another outstanding local business developer such as Diamond Ventures, that put all the pieces together."
Sherry Martin, Co-Founder shared that Tucson Tamale has a solid history of local investment, employment and corporate community citizenship since its founding in 2008.
“We’ve expanded our locations and the size of operations each year,” said Martin.“We are proud that we continue to create jobs in our community. With the new facility, our business will total over 50 employees”
Inspired by family recipes, the Martins transformed this ancient Latin tradition with an eye on healthier and gluten free ingredients. Today, this husband and wife team continue to make award-winning tamales, spreading the joy one handmade tamale at a time across the country into Albertson's in the Southwest and health food stores from California to New York.
Tucson Tamale continues to operate its other locations in Tucson - East Side at 7159 E Tanque Verde Rd,
Tucson, AZ 85715 520.298.8404 .Open Mon-Sun 11am to 7pm.
North Side at 7286 N Oracle Rd, Tucson, AZ 85704 520.403.1888. Open Monday - Saturday 10am - 7pm and Sunday 11am - 5pm.
The Midtown location is currently closed for the Broadway Widening Project. Call 520.305.4760 for holiday orders and information.
“This holiday season we partnered with Diamond Ventures to provide Banner Health hospital staff with complimentary Tucson Tamale meals to show our appreciation,” added Martin, “I grew upon the Southwest side in Tucson. Tamale making is a proud part of our heritage. I love taking tradition and innovation and combining it for Tucson Tamale’s success.”
For additional information on the sale, Arrotta should be reached at 520.465.5291.