bake - March 2018 - PAN42
PROFILES Sonora Bakery More than three decades ago, Hector and Theresa Oratowski came to Southern California from Argentina with their three children and a dream to make a difference in the baking world. Within a year, they found a small store for sale on East Whittier Boulevard in Los Angeles, and in 1986 opened Sonora Bakery, which they named after the "most beautiful desert" in Mexico, according to Theresa. From these humble beginnings, Sonora Bakery has risen to become one of the most successful retail/wholesale bakeries in Southern California, with 60 employees between both operations. Sonora Bakery 4484 East Whittier Boulevard; Los Angeles, California 90022; (323) 269-2253; Denis Oratowski; President 42 "I always say that I don't have employees. I have family members," says Denis Oratowski, who is the president of the company and is the son of Hector and Theresa. "Most of our people have been here a very long time. At the end of the day, we understand the concept that for each person who works here, there are four or five more people who count on them." Raquel Acuña, who is vice president of administration and has worked for the company for 22 years, points out that the bakery has never laid off an employee. Even if there are slower times of work during the year, "that family
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