(This article was written by Abigail Muniz Garcia and was featured in the April 2025 issue of Explore Harlingen Magazine.)
When Andrea Luna’s beloved grandmother passed away in 2019 her family created an ofrenda (offering) to honor her memory.
As a child, she remembers going to the bakery with her grandmother to pick her favorite pan dulce. Her grandmother loved sweet bread. This tradition inspired her to create the first plush prototypes for the offering that would allow them to add to her grandmother’s collection. As her son grew to be a toddler, he started to play with the plush bread.
“I wanted my son, all our children, to grow up with a deep connection and pride in their culture. Our children see us celebrate life, and food is a central part of most celebrations,” Luna said.
The Latina-owned business is dedicated to preserving Mexican American heritage while promoting cultural pride. Plush Panaderia officially launched in October 2023 at a Dia De Los Muertos festival at the International Museum of Art and Science in McAllen. Since then, Luna says they’ve traveled the state doing pop-ups and events where she sells her art.
Plush Panaderia has gone from three products (concha, marranito, and empanada plushies) in their first event to more than 60 products now including pillows and jewelry that celebrate values, families, food, and Mexican culture. They also sell fresh bread baked by her husband, Rogelio Luna.
“He bakes for almost every single event we do,” she said. “Rarely there will be some events that don’t allow food, only art. He makes all kinds of pan dulce: empanadas, marranitos, cakes, cinnamon rolls, and conchas.”
His specialty conchas range from filled conchas to mini sized ones or decorative conchas such as a Hello Kitty concha that he makes. Their unique flavors are also part of the appeal with mango, matcha, and blueberry flavored conchas.
Both Rogelio and Andrea dedicate themselves full-time to their business. They have experienced many challenges throughout their journey thus far, but Andrea says that fighting for legitimacy as an artist is one.
“As an artist I have had to fight for legitimacy, for my art to be seen as more than ‘arts and crafts’. This has been the fight for many Latina artists,” she said. “I have been blessed enough to have my art up and currently selling at the International Museum of Art and Science now, but it did not start out that way. People may not always understand your art that you put your heart into, but that just means it wasn’t for them.”
There are positive things that come from running a business like Plush Panaderia and Andrea mentions one of them is making connections.
“The best part is connecting with the community. Many older (and younger) Latina women have deeply connected with my art, embraced and thanked me for representing our culture with pride. This is my love letter to our people, especially in such difficult times. I feel so privileged to be able to continue to celebrate our cultural traditions,” she said.
What does the future hold for Plush Panaderia? Andrea mentions that one of the short-term plans is to launch a website soon to make ordering easier. A long-term plan is to have a brick-and-mortar locale for their business.
“Long-term I want to create a beautiful panaderia, not just a beautiful building but one filled with delicious pan dulce and my handmade art. I want it to be a cultural experience that celebrates the beauty of our people,” she said.
“I have blended my love for delicious pan dulce and fine art to bring a nostalgic experience to those who stop by,” Andrea said of those that visit them at their events.
Follow them on Instagram and Facebook as Plush Panaderia or on TikTok @PlushPanaderia for more information and upcoming events.
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