Wylie is well known for its vibrant downtown and family-friendly events. It was one of those events, Bluegrass on Ballard, that served as a springboard for Panaderia la Esperanza, a thriving Mexican bakery that has grown from a traveling pop-up shop to an established and well-loved residence in Historic Downtown Wylie.
Getting Started
Owned by local residents José and Jessie Mejia, Panaderia la Esperanza feels like it’s been downtown for ages. But in reality, the business is just two years old.
Jessie Mejia, who is an owner and the Front End Operations Manager, says, “Opening the panaderia was the fulfillment of a generational legacy for José.” José, who is also an owner and Bakery Operations Manager, has spent nearly two decades in the restaurant management industry in North Texas. Before moving to Texas, he lived in central Mexico and worked at his family’s bakeries. “The techniques and recipes he bakes with are part of his DNA. Because of this, he’s never been satisfied with the quality of pan dulce available here, and often spent his free time baking at home. This led to a frequent barrage of texts from friends and co-workers, asking ‘did you make bread today?’”
In fact, people loved José’s bread so much that they started sharing it with their own neighbors.
“That’s when we really knew he was on to something, says Jessie. “We researched Texas Cottage Law and applied to become farmer’s market vendors.”
It was 2021 when Jessie and José brought their first bread to market at Bluegrass on Ballard, a popular music festival and car show that takes place every July in Olde City Park and nearby downtown Wylie. With a successful experience under their belts, they continued to attend local markets and vendor events before deciding it was time to find a brick and mortar location so their in-demand business could grow.
In 2022, the Mejias opened up shop on N. Ballard Avenue in Wylie, Texas. The bright blue awning and colorful lights have quickly turned Panaderia la Esperanza into a local landmark, and people drive from all over the Metroplex for José’s authentic homemade pan dulce.
When asked what the most popular items on the menu are, Jessie says, “Conchas, of course, are the quintessential form of pan dulce, but our Nutella Empanadas are hot on their tails for front runner here at La Esperanza. And our Organic Cold Brew Coffee has a robust fanbase.”
It’s true – one look at Google reviews and you’ll quickly spot someone raving about the cold brew. One five-star review said, “The pan is good, can tell it's homemade and made fresh daily! The cold brew coffee is AMAZING! The aguas frescas are delicious....Great place and great owners!”
Why Wylie?
The Mejias were familiar with Wylie long before they started a business here. Together, they’ve had a house in Wylie for the last ten years. Jessie grew up just down the road, in Sachse, and knew the surrounding area well. Wanting to stay close to home, they looked for a storefront all over northeast Dallas before deciding on a location that was right in their own backyard.
According to Jessie, “We decided that the perfect spot was right here at home. Downtown Wylie is the only location that really checked all the boxes for us; buildings that reflect character and history, a community of home-grown and family focused business owners, an area that is accessible to both commuters as well as folks enjoying family leisure time. These are attributes that are at the core of our business concept, and it was essential for us to find a space that would reflect that.”
The timing was perfect. There was an open building with a kitchen on the corner of N. Ballard Ave. and Oak St. Jessie and José were soon open for business.
When asked what they like most about doing business in Wylie, the answer was easy.
“Even more than we initially realized, the Wylie community fervently rallies behind local small business. We of course knew this, we’ve been a part of that rally ourselves for many years, but we were utterly humbled and amazed by the support we continue to receive from every corner of this community. Wylie’s not a small town anymore but we truly do act like one.”
Jessie says that she loves seeing the impact that their baked goods have on people. Some people have never had traditional pan dulce, while others have driven a long distance looking for something familiar. “With folks who grew up enjoying traditionally made pan dulce in Mexico, the reaction is so often an emotional expression of ‘this tastes like home,’ and ‘finally!’ says Jessie. “But also with folks who are experiencing this aspect of Mexican culture for the first time, we frequently hear, ‘I have no idea what this is’ quickly morph into, ‘this is the best thing I’ve ever tasted.’ Both are so meaningful to us.”
The authentic Mexican bakery, Panaderia la Esperanza, brings something new and exciting to Downtown Wylie. With deep roots in the community, Jessie and José Mejia are building a strong foundation for their business and adding to the vibrant energy of Wylie.
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