Non-Profit Bakery Opens “Hot Bread Almacen” In Spanish Harlem’s La Marqueta

Hot Bread Kitchen, a non-profit wholesale bakery, opened its first retail location, Hot Bread Almacen on East 115th Street in the historic La Marqueta. HBK’s mission is to provide culinary training opportunities for low-income and foreign-born men and women, and its new storefront will give the Harlem community a local place to purchase the yield of the trainees’ labors.
With considerable funding from the Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone— an operation that uses public funds and tax incentives to encourage private investment in needy Manhattan communities— and continued support from the New York City Economic Development Corporation, founder and CEO Jessamyn W. Rodriguez’s workforce development dough program has been a growing success since its kickoff in 2007. The new store will feature the full line of Hot Bread Kitchen Breads’ expanding product line, such as its corn tortillas, lavash crackers, and other traditional breads.
Additionally, it will also carry goods from businesses supported by HBK’s start-up business development program, HBK Incubates. Store hours will be Monday-Saturday from 8 a.m. until 5 pm., so stop by early to grab a Bialy al Barrio, an egg, cheese and hot sauce sandwich on HBK’s signature bialy, and other exclusive items.
City Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn, who joined the opening ceremony this morning, said in a statement, “Our efforts to boost New York City’s food manufacturing industry began with affordable kitchen incubator workspace for culinary entrepreneurs at Hot Bread Kitchen. Today we are adding new retail venues to help further support the bakery and the community. Local Council Member Melissa Mark-Viverito and I are thrilled to see La Marqueta back on the map as a hub of economic activity and a bona fide New York City culinary destination.”
Hot Bread Almacen at La Marqueta, 1590 Park Avenue at East 115th Street // 212-369-3331

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