“We Are Open” a simple sign hand painted and posted in front of the Pink Elephant Bakery.
This sign was partnered with another hand painted sign next door on the corner of King and Virginia in front of Jalisco Taqueria. These signs in an uncanny way gave me a breath of fresh air during the development of the pandemic. I could not imagine a world without burritos, or pan dulce y cafe. I was in a sentimental state and I needed comfort to get through this.
I am grateful to Pink Elephant’s staff and owners for showing up as an essential business for East San Jose -- a community that is predominantly Latino. This is especially meaningful considering that Latinos are disproportionately over-represented in COVID-19 deaths. Many conversations with friends leading up to my pan voyage touched upon how to navigate through no sports, Resurrection Sunday, virtual funerals, and Zoom. The future feels robotic.
The Pink Elephant Bakery being open during “the shelter-in place” was refreshing. It is familiar, it is costumbre. We eat pan dulce during family gatherings and celebrations of life and death. Conchas y empanada served with atole or cafecito are the best way to put a smile on my face in the morning. I felt like a fool waiting outside, but as soon as the black screen door swung open and it was my turn to enter. Everything felt fine.
All I saw were the little brown puerquitos and I forgot about COVID-19. All these smells and colors partnered with their warm staff, ready to to serve provided a sense of comfort. I remembered visiting panaderias with my mom as a kid and just pointing at them through glass. I wasn’t worried, I was too busy deciding what empanada flavor I wanted.
Now more than ever it is important to support our small businesses to keep our local economy healthy. Order your cakes and pan dulce online by visiting thepinkelephantbakery.com
The Pink Elephant Bakery is located at 415 South King Road San Jose, CA. 95116. The Bakery is Open Daily from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. stop by and come see what I’m talking about, remember to bring cash.
