Today we’d like to introduce you to Kelvin Cruz.
Hi Kelvin, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Our story begins in Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria (2017-18). Ramón Ruiz (Co-Owner) and I have known each other since we were 11 years old when we studied together at a school in Las Piedras, PR. Since we were children we liked to do business (stickers, toys, basketball cards, candies, etc.) and we always said that we were going to do business together. I used to own a bakery in Las Piedras (La Creacion #2) and my partner at the time was dedicated to the sale, repair, and maintenance of air conditioners but he also owned a cafeteria prior to working in A/C.
One day, I receive a call from a friend of mine who tells me that I should open a bakery in Tampa, FL and several days later Ramón calls me that he was going to visit the Island (2018) and that he wanted to meet me in order to do a something together. When this happened, I understood that God heard my prayers after all the struggles me and my family were having on the Island after the hurricane, and there I thought that it was the right time to do it.
After our meeting a couple of months later, I went to Tampa, FL with my father and brother and visited different places in the area of Riverview, Brandon, and Tampa where we finally found our existing location (11258 W Hillsborough Ave. Tampa, FL) and in a matter of days, we signed the papers of the lease agreement.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
The change has not been easy. We left our families, friends, property, and many other things that took us out of our comfort zone, but when something comes from God we knew that after all the pain, tears and sacrifice it would be a blessing in the end.
These days inflation is hitting us hard.
Despite all that, since the first day, we opened (March 11, 2019) the people of Tampa have made us feel like family.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about La Creacion Bakery?
We are a 100% Puerto Rican Bakery. All of our product is fresh and made daily in our location. We are passionate that when clients arrive and consume one of our products (Bread, Sandwiches, Sweet Goods), they feel that freshness. We have on our menu all kinds of Puerto Rican sweets, sandwiches, coffee, fritters, sancocho (weekends only), and of course Pan Sobao (soft and sweet bread) and Pan de Agua (regular bread) all 100% Puerto Rican.
We both are hard workers and perfectionists when we do something. We love that customers come and had a great experience, not only with the food but the also with the service and atmosphere.
Thanks to the support of the community we have received since our opening, we now have two new locations, La Creacion Bakery #2 in Brandon, FL, and La Creacion Express in Wesley Chapel, FL. Our goal is to continue expanding our product around the state of Florida and with God’s favor to other places.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
Continually educate me, reading or researching.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.lacreacionbakery.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/la_creacion_bakery/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LaCreacionBakery/
