CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The LatinX Holiday Market is the first of its kind in Charlotte.
The event will host Latin-owned local businesses in the community. It was started by a Mexican-born Charlottean who is looking to be an inspiration to others.
Norma Zuniga, the owner of Dulce Dreams Cafe, wants to bring more representation to the Charlotte food scene.
Once her side hustle, Dulce Dreams Cafe, is now Zuniga's full-time job. Her signature treat is Conchas, a Mexican sweet bread in the shape of a sea shell. Zuniga said the treats take about five hours to create. For her, it's a labor of love that she learned to do own her own.
“It has its own technique," Zuniga said, explaining that she taught herself by watching videos online. "You can learn anything on YouTube nowadays."
Zuniga is a DACA holder, which means she has protection from deportation.
“I was able to work throughout college, pay for my education," Zuniga said.
She graduated with a degree in biology, but after being a lab technician for five years, she decided to pursue her baking dream. To say it hasn't been easy would be an understatement.
“I see a lot of us struggling to get attention to us," Zuniga said.
That's why she created the LatinX Holiday Market, an event hosting over 20 Latin-owned businesses in Charlotte.
“My goal is for them to learn more about my culture and the different pastries Mexico has to offer," Zuniga said.
According to the Small Business Alliance, one in four new businesses in the U.S. are Hispanic-owned and Charlotte has seen a growing Latin population. Norma now hopes to be an example to others to start their own business.
“There’s not really a lot of Latinas in the restaurant industry when it comes to Charlotte," Zuniga said. "I'm trying to make a change, an impact. I'm trying to get more Latinas to follow their dreams."
She plans to eventually have her own brick and mortar.
“I’m not going to stop until I get my own bakery," Zuniga said.
The LatinX Holiday Market is Dec. 16 from noon until 6 p.m. at 5249 Central Avenue. It will be next to the former Eastland Mall site.
Contact Lexi Wilson at lwilson@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.
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