A Taste of Brazil
1) How did you get your start in the bakery business?
Moving from Brazil to NY for a semester abroad was a big adjustment. I loved this special city, but I craved home. The taste of Brazil, the culture and, most importantly, the people.
Padoca is a slang term in Brazil meaning neighborhood bakery, a place where everyone knows your name. You’d walk in these bakeries and spend hours with people that felt like family sharing stories and delicious treats.
I knew NY would be my home, but I needed to bring a little Brazil here. So, I started Padoca, THE Neighborhood Bakery, a safe place to land where all is welcome, everyone knows your name, and something yummy is always served.
2) How difficult was your journey?
As anyone who’s done it will tell you, starting a business is tough! I love the work and the community we’ve built that truly feels like family at this point. But the margins in this industry are impossibly low. We sometimes joke we’re working miracle just to make it work. How much people love your products and how busy you are, doesn’t always equal profitability, and that’s probably the most difficult part.
3) Tell us about the specialties that you bake.
We are best known for our authentic Pão de Queijo, or Brazilian Cheese Bread. But around here we call them PDQs®! Warm and cheesy. Naturally gluten-free. Soft on the inside, slightly crunchy on the outside.
Our Celebration Cakes (birthdays, weddings, and every celebration in between) take the cake! Our custom, baked-to-order cakes are made with real, high quality, all-natural ingredients, always!
And, of course, Holiday Pastries. Our Romeo and Juliet Pie is to die for! It’s our Brazilian take on a Thanksgiving pie made with guava and sweet cheese which is considered the perfect pair in Brazil.
4) How many stores do you have? And can you only buy your sweets at the store or is there an online component?
We currently have 2 stores:
210 E. 67th Street and 1663 1st Avenue
We also take pre-orders online for in store pick up and local NYC deliveries as well as a curated nationwide shipping menu on our website, padocabakery.com
5) What advice do you have for someone who wants to start their own business?
My best advice for any new business owner would be to pick something you really love. Starting a business is hard. But when you truly love what you do, it makes it that much easier to stick with it. It’s true what they say – people know when you are passionate about your brand and products. And most importantly, keep going!
