In the neighborhood of Washington Heights, Usnavi is a bodega owner who looks after the aging Cuban lady next door, and pines for the gorgeous girl working in the neighboring beauty salon. He dreams of winning the lottery and escaping to the shores of his native Dominican Republic. Meanwhile, Nina, his childhood friend, has returned to the neighborhood from her first year at college with surprising news for her parents, who have spent their life savings on building a better life for their daughter. Ultimately, Usnavi and the residents of the close-knit neighborhood get a dose of what it means to be home.