by Lorie Lewis Ham
Pasteleria Plaza in Reedley was opened in December of 2007 by cake decorator Martha Plaza. With the help of her son Luis, who translated for us, we chatted with Martha recently.
KRL: When did Pasteleria first open?
Martha: Pasteleria Plaza opened for business during a tough time for all Americans. When the housing, and stock market crashed back in December 2007 many small businesses were closing their doors for good.
Martha and her sister Modesta Plaza who works with her
KRL: What inspired the idea for the business?
Martha: Its was something I have always enjoyed doing.
KRL: What was your baking experience before this?
Martha: I started baking cakes a long time ago for my children’s birthday parties and my family’s events.
KRL: What all do you sell?
Martha: We sell cakes and cupcakes for all of life’s occasions, anything from a simple birthday cake to weddings, sweet sixteen’s, quinceñeras, baptisms, communion, graduations and business parties. If you’re having an event, we have the cake for it.
KRL: How has Pasteleria changed since it first opened?
Martha: We started very small, but with lots of hopes and dreams and the will to work very hard in a 2,000 square foot workspace to having the opportunity in 2020 to double our production and work space.
KRL: How many workers do you have?
Martha: We currently employ up to 12 workers in our busy season, the majority [are] family members.
KRL: What makes Pasteleria unique?
Martha: What makes Pasteleria Plaza unique is our Tres Leches Cake. Our Tres Leches Cake from scratch will blow your mind! Soft, delicious, melt-in-your-mouth sweet sponge cake, soaked in three milks and topped with whipped cream and filling of your choice!
KRL: What do you like best about what you do?
Martha: The satisfaction of creating jobs in my community
KRL: What has been the hardest?
Martha: The hardest thing is not being able to keep up with demand.
KRL: What have been doing to survive the pandemic? (such as delivery services or curbside services, or selling online?)
Martha: All our orders have always been to-go so it was business as usual; we just followed local and state guidelines to stay healthy.
KRL: Future goals with the business?
Martha: Our future goal would be to one day be able to offer jellos, ice cream cakes, and other party pastries.
KRL: Where are you located?
Martha: Location is 1617 11th Street, Reedley CA.
KRL: What are your hours?
Martha: Hours are Monday-Closed, Tuesday-Thursday 9:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Friday-Saturday 8:00a.m. – 5:00 p.m., and Sundays 8:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
KRL: Do you have a website or social media?
Martha: A website is in the works. But we are on Instagram-pasteleriaplaza, and Facebook-pasteleria.plaza.
KRL: I noticed that you just won an award from the Reedley Chamber, how did that make you feel? What specifically was the award?
Martha: We were awarded the 2021 Small Business award. It was such a great honor to be recognized for so many years of hard work and dedication. We love Reedley and our customers. It’s where we live and grew up.
Be sure to check out more Reedley articles in our Reedley category.
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