"My husband always said, 'I want something of my own.' It's [been] worth it." - Sandra Saldivar, Panadería Saldivar

Thursday, we visited one of the sweetest smelling shops in Arcola - Panadería Saldivar, a Mexican-style bakery on Main Street.

Sandra Saldivar shared the family business's story and gave us a tour of the bakery, after their morning rush.

Sandra and Abiud Saldivar started baking out of their home ten years ago, with simple emapanadas, hojarascas cookies, and two types of cakes. They would advertise what they were making on social media, and customers would pick up. Six years later, they started selling two days a week of their home.

Then came the food trucks and restaurants from Champaign, who wanted to sell their breads and tortas (sandwich buns).

At the time, Abiud was working at a local factory, but his dream was to have a business of his own. So, he went to one of the company heads and told them why he wanted to go part-time. His boss encouraged him and said they would support him. And they did.

And then Covid hit. Abiud had just gone part-time at the factory, the Saldivars could not sell out of their home. But, they had orders for delivery as far away as Rantoul.

After looking at different buildings from Arcola to Champaign, Saldivars decided that a Main Street Arcola location was right for them. "It's not the spot," Sandra says, "If they like your product, they will come." And they do. Customers often travel from Decatur, Paris, Newton, Terre Haute and Champaign.

The biggest challenge, Sandra says, was being patient with the contractors. They furnished the business with second-hand decorations and display cases, and traveled out of state to pick up used equipment. But it happened.

"God puts the right people in your life at the right time," Sandra says. One of their contractors was able to retrofit and build the storefront out to have flow and a design they liked.

As for future plans, Saldivars believe, "You always have to be innovating and adding new thing." They have several ideas for future expansion, including maybe making tortillas, unlike any you can buy in a store.

And Sandra believes that by saying things out loud, you can manifest them. After all, Panadería Saldivar is now theirs.

"Keep insisting. Don't give up." - Sandra Saldivar