In New York City, many bodegas are run by Dominican families and this has made them a kind of buffer between the country of the Dominican Republic and the New York-based Dominican diaspora. Producer Camilo Vargas hangs out with Juan Carlos Hiciano, aka. Gary and sometimes Pedro, the man behind the grill. Camilo finds out his immigration story, his plans for the future and how it all relates to the history of Dominicans in New York.

Photo by Marlon Bishop