A LONG-AWAITED BUT GRAND OPENING FOR PORTO’S CUBAN BAKERY IN DOWNEY
By Herald American
A gaggle of Downey city officials, a couple of movie stars and a whole lot of Cuban pride greeted the ribbon-cutting ceremony at Porto’s Cuban Bakery and Café, which finally opened Tuesday nearly a year after breaking ground last Nov. 23.
In some ways, the wait seemed even longer. Since the disappointing demise earlier this year of Downey’s efforts to attract Tesla Motors to the city, city officials have pointed toward the opening of Porto’s as its most-significant development project.
The two-story, 17,715-square-foot bakery and cafe was constructed next to an existing five-story office building, which was remodeled as part of a $20 million project. The undertaking included demolition of a vacant two-story commercial building for the cafe and bakery and a 172-space parking structure to the rear off Second Street.
The new building has about 12,700 square feet on the first floor, of which about 9,600 are for bakery operations and 3,100 square feet are for the cafe. It includes two indoor dining areas totaling 2,000 square feet and two outside patios totaling about 1,120 square feet.
The 5,000 square feet on the second floor are for office use, a conference room, an employee lounge and restrooms and a storage area.
City Councilman Mario Guerra, who was instrumental in bringing the popular Glendale facility to Downey, made a point of noting that he is Cuban-American as he welcomed the new business.
Raul and Rosa Porto established the bakery in Glendale some 35 years ago. A second bakery-restaurant was later opened in Burbank. They have been joined in the operation of the business by son Raul Jr. and daughters Betty Porto and Margarite Porto Navarro.
Besides the family members and Guerra, guests lending an Hispanic flavor to the ceremony were Assistant Downey City Manager Gil Livas, who was master of ceremonies; Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard, D-Los Angeles; and Assemblyman Hector De La Torre, D-South Gate.
Also making brief comments were Cuban actors Andy García and Tony Plana.
“I’m a white guy but it’s all right, I married a Cuban woman,” joked Councilman Roger Brossmer, in welcoming comments.
