Being that Charlotte is such a big city, can you believe that it still does not have a woman owned Mexican bakery/coffee shop? A place where you can sit down and get a pastry/drink and bring your family to enjoy, bring your kids to feel the culture, chismear with a friend, a place where you can just come and work or do homework, a place that feels like a home away from home. That is what I want to bring to charlotte. A bakery where it is all Mexican decorated and inspired. I started this business almost 5 years ago in October 2021 when I opened the LLC. It was all an idea that I didn’t know what was going to come out of it. I used all of my savings to invest in the business and for when I couldn’t pay myself in the beginning.

 I want to be open early in the morning and have a special for people who work blue collar jobs to have a concha and coffee for brekkie to start their hard working day. I want to start a program where people can still get pastries even when they can’t afford them because everyone deserves a nice treat, especially in these hard times. I have tried looking for a space in the past and didn’t work out for several reasons. Ive had landlords tell me no because they didn’t think my business would thrive. I have learned so much from those experiences and all the costs that come along with it. Like how if I get a space that didn’t used to be a food place it will cost me about $18k just to build a grease trap. People have told me to look for somewhere outside of charlotte for cheaper rent and such, but those places don’t feel like home to me when I have been in Charlotte since I was 5 years old. 

I want my bakery to be on the east side of charlotte or in N. Tryon somewhere. This crowdfund will not be enough to build my bakery as I will also be getting a loan from the bank, but it will be a start. Getting a big loan from a bank is also really hard. I have a realtor helping look for a space right now and there are some potentials. The food industry is so male dominated already and I want to prove that as a Latina woman this can be done and inspire other Latinas.
 I have had so many people tell me to do this, but as a first gen older daughter I feel ashamed and scared asking for help because I have always done everything on my own and don’t like depending on other people. I paid my college tuition by working while in school, so I know the struggles of not coming from money.  This business is run by me, my mom, and my brother. We depend on this to survive. We are truly grateful for everyone who has supported us through all these years. We have almost 17k followers on IG and if everyone of those donated $25 we would definitely reach beyond our goal. Wishful thinking, I know. 

Despite all the setbacks and tears and wanting to give up I still don’t see myself doing anything else besides sharing my culture through the sweet pastries with people. I know I mainly focus on Conchas, but I also want to do other pastries that maybe some people have never heard of. Mexico is more than Tres leches cakes and churros.  I want people to understand that Mexican pastries are just as important as French or Italian. They are not just worth $1 which people are used to. A lot goes into baking and paying employees a livable wage. Especially when using local ingredients and making a lot of things from scratch. I see myself building something special for Charlotte, but I can’t do this alone. I have a lot of equipment in storage, so this will mainly be for the build out. I will also have a special place in the bakery where I will add everyone's names who donates because you guys will be part of this legacy. 

 also some rewards below for 
$25 donation Dulce Dreams Cafe branded sticker 

$100 donation first 50 people who donate this amount  will invited to friends and family bakery opening. So you will get to see the inside first! Plus a Dulce Dreams Branded sticker 

$500 donation 6pk concha holiday box for December plus branded sticker, Plus invitation to friends and family bakery opening if you’re one of the first 50 people who donate 

$1,000 donation a concha making class for you and another person once the bakery is open Plus a Dulce Dreams Cafe stickers. Plus invitation to friends and family bakery opening if you’re one of the first 50 people who donate

please email me your email so I can properly so I can make sure you get your rewards!

[email protected]

If you read this far, any donation is appreciated no matter how big or small. If you are not able to donate that is totally fine. You can also share this on your socials as that would mean everything to me by spreading the word. 

Con mucho amor,

Norma