Magnolias Café to open in Carolina, creating 6 new jobs
Magnolias Café & Pastries, a new culinary venture in Carolina, is scheduled to open this August in Villa Carolina, creating six new jobs — two direct and four indirect.
The business was founded by Carolina natives Enid Santiago and Ariana Cortés, who developed their concept through the first Idea-Action Cycle offered by the Carolina Business Center, according to the municipality.
Their participation in the program led to a $40,300 loan from the Puerto Rico Economic Development Bank through its Businesswoman Program, which supports women-led enterprises. The funds will be used for equipment ($16,868), improvements ($15,614), operating capital ($5,618) and inventory ($2,200).
“The Carolina Business Center continues to be a key platform for local economic development,” said Carolina Mayor José Carlos Aponte. “Thanks to this joint effort, more and more citizens are finding the support, guidance and tools they need to take the leap toward entrepreneurial success in their own city.”
The café will open on Roberto Sánchez Vilella Avenue, near the Children’s Museum, offering a space for customers to enjoy Puerto Rican Arabica coffee from Jayuya, seasonal drinks and a menu of sweet and savory pastries prepared by the founders.
Menu items will include café lattes, matcha and chai lattes, lemon and banana sponge cakes, and the Magnolia Triple Berry cake. Savory offerings will feature the Guava Forest Croissant and the Cilantro Crush on mallorca bread.
“Magnolias Café & Pastries is a masterful example of how the perseverance of a young business, combined with our financial support, translates into a real and tangible business project,” said EDB President Carmen Vega-Fournier.
