Víctor Villegas began with his first bakery in 2003 in Trenton, the capital of New Jersey and its purpose was to generate employment for the Guatemalans who were looking for a better quality of life in the north of the continent.
Guatepan, so he called his first business and, 20 years later, inaugurated the branch number six.
Villegas commented that they have adapted to the demand of Americans living in the region, but have also announced the Guatemalan cuisine, preparing breakfast and spare parts.
He added that the PAN continues to be prepared by hand to conserve the Guatemalan recipe.
“At first it was a dream. My dad had a bakery in Guatemala and, when we came to Trenton, we realized that a product originally from our homeland was needed and people were looking for Pan Chapín, ”said the entrepreneur.
He explained that they have 55 collaborators, 80% are Guatemalans, the rest are Central American.
“I want to support the chapines to overcome themselves, to have a better future and stable job,” he said.
Villegas said that, together with the Association of Merchants of New Jersey and the Consulate of Philadelphia of Guatemala in the US, they have given talks to Trenton residents so that they are informed about their rights to the migration policies implemented by President Donald Trump.
Villegas said that, together with other Guatemalan entrepreneurs and entrepreneurs who reside in Trenton, they organize activities to raise funds and send money to an asylum located in Monjas, Jalapa.
“We support the elderly of the asylum in Jalapa, but also the elders of the city of Guatemala,” he emphasized.
He explained that this year’s goal is to expand to continue generating jobs for nationals in the US.
At least 750 Guatemalan businesses in Trenton, the capital of New Jersey, closed on February 3 in protest against the migratory policies that Donald Trump imposed by assuming the position as president of the USA.
Estuardo Arriola, president of the Association of Guatemalan merchants of Trenton commented that there are 1,500 businesses in that city and 50% are from Guatemalans.
New Jersey is the fifth American state where they reside more nationally, according to the consular network.
“The community is actually frightened because nobody wants to go to work, to study or even wait for their children at bus stops, because they are afraid to be deported,” said Arriola.