Boulevard News – June 2017

Su Pan Bakery

Domingo and Oscar Garcia, brothers and owners of Su Pan Bakery, come from a long family line of bakers. In Tlaxcala, Puebla Mexico, Oscar and Domingo’s great grandparents started a bakery from inside their home. After preparing pan dulces from scratch, a process which had them up at 2 am every morning, they would load baskets of their goods and hire the local children to sell them throughout the community, much like newspaper delivery. Their business, along with their talent and recipes were passed down to their children, and their children after.

When Domingo and Oscars’ parents moved to San Diego for economic opportunity, they set their sights on opening a bakery of their own. With this long-term goal in mind, they worked tirelessly in construction and housekeeping for 15 years, saving up money. Their sons, Domingo and Oscar, who were teenagers at the time, quickly began working to support their family’s ambitions. Domingo got a job in the bakery department at a Hilton, and Oscar worked for a small business specializing in screen printing t-shirts. They attribute their success today to the combined business experience and skills they acquired through on-the-job training alongside their family’s specialized background in baking. In 2010, partnering with their parents, they were able to successfully open Su Pan Bakery, fulfilling their dreams to continue a family legacy.

The Garcia family prides themselves on their commitment to quality, and their love for baking. They don’t take shortcuts to cut prices. They use the all the love, butter, cream, and eggs needed for a quality product, and it shows—or tastes if you will.  The rich ingredients are much appreciated by their customers, who come from as far north as Riverside to enjoy their authentic bakery. Aside from serving traditional Mexican baked goods, pan dulces, tortas, and their well-known tres leches cake, they have branched out into other bakery items; such as French macaroons, croissants, and decadent cakes.

When they were ready to open  Su Pan, the Garcia’s sought out a location centrally located in a diverse neighborhood. El Cajon Boulevard fit the bill.  While many of their customers  from the neighborhood walk over to treat themselves to a nice dessert, word has spread, and they now  find themselves making regular deliveries, as far north as Riverside. Starting with just two employees, they now have a much larger, friendly and dedicated staff of 20, who have become part of the Su Pan family. Expanding their business further, last year Domingo and Oscar opened a second location in San Marcos to increase accessibility to customers in North County. While they would love to continue to grow the business, for now their plans are to continue to focus on producing quality products and services their customers have grown to expect.

Su Pan – 5006 El Cajon Boulevard

BLVD Market Summer Block Party

In partnership with Gym Standard, the El Cajon Boulevard BIA is gearing up for The BLVD MARKET SUMMER BLOCK PARTY, Friday, July 7, 6-10pm. The BLVD Market is a San Diego style, monthly open-air celebration of cuisine and entertainment.

This month’s AMERICANA theme will host a Classic Car Show presented by the C-10 Club of San Diego. In addition, for the first time ever, the BLVD Market is showcasing a collective of Boulevard Brewers to provide the most local craft beer experience alongside vintage clothing vendors, and a Launch Ramp Contest open to any skateboarders willing to enter (w/waivers signed). Music and tunes will be provided by Digi-Gurl and local bands, Peggy 183 and T. Rexico.

Event Details: Blvd Market

SALSA SABADO BRINGS OPEN AIR DANCING TO FAIR@44

Every 2nd and 4th Saturday starting in July 

West African Boutique Launches at Fair@44

As part of the El Cajon Boulevard BIA’s recruitment and retention strategy, L.K. Fashion Boutique expands along the Boulevard by launching a Pop-up Shop the Fair@44.  Lili Klu, owner and designer of L.K. Fashion, brings to San Diego locally designed clothing with a fabulous West African flare. Klu has been working in the fashion industry for almost 20 years, starting out of high school in her home country of Togo.

Last month Klu hosted a fashion show at the Lafayette Hotel Pool. She was able to raise money to support the launch of her non-profit sewing academy, which Klu offers within her store.  Students apprentice alongside her as she produces custom designs. Her students learn tangible skills and are given the opportunity to stay on within the company as Klu expands her brand. Vanessa Ntivu, one of her first students is exemplifying L.K. Fashion’s growth strategy by utilizing the Pop-Up shop at Fair@44 to learn the retail end of the business, showcase her own designs, and build new entrepreneurial skills.