Updated Thursday: La Monarca has postponed its grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony. From the restaurant's Facebook page:
Due to the rain, we have to postpone today's Grand Opening to a future date. We will keep you posted. Apologies for any inconvenience and thanks for your understanding.
Earlier: Have you tasted any of the sweet breads or other tempting treats from South Pasadena's newest bakery?
Although La Monarca opened its doors at Mission Street and Meridian Avenue in December, the bakery's official grand opening, complete with a ribbon cutting and free treats, happens Thursday, from 4-6 p.m. City officials and members of the South Pasadena Chamber of Commerce are slated to attend.
The bakery first opened in Huntington Park in 2006. Friends and co-owners Ricardo Cervantes and Alfredo Livas grew up in Monterrey, Mexico’s third largest city. As kids, they loved the rich variety of bread and pastries (pan dulce) which are household staples in Mexico. While studying in the U.S., the friends missed the pastries from back home and began searching for them in Hispanic markets and neighborhood stores. They wanted to find a traditional Mexican pasteleria that offered bread and high quality cakes, cookies and pastries (sans lard). Not finding the exact bakery they envisioned, they created La Monarca.
Livas had eyed South Pasadena as a good bakery spot for a while, the San Rafael resident has told Patch, and said he believes the business will do well in the city.
In addition to Huntington Park and South Pas, La Monarca has bakeries in East Los Angeles and Santa Monica.
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