(Shoppers make selections from the vast meat counter at D’La Colmena Market & Catering on West Lake Avenue. Photo by Tarmo Hannula/Pajaronian)
WATSONVILLE — Four decades ago, Manuel Gonzales started D’La Colmena market on Rodriguez Street near the post office.
Running markets is a family tradition, stretching back to the 1930s, when Manuel Gonzales’ grandfather opened a store in San Jose.
The senior Gonzales later helped to run Colmena markets, a chain of five stores based in Salinas, before he struck out on his own.
He ran La Colmena bakery in two locations here with a partner before setting off on his own. While he kept the “Colmena” in his business’ name, he added the “D” for a personal touch.
Translated from Spanish, the name means “from the hive.”
“Colmena is where the bees come in and do their thing,” Manuel Gonzales said. “And there is always a buzz.”
The business now stands at 129 West Lake Ave.
From its humble beginnings as a mom-and-pop bakery, D’La Colmena has grown to include a market, a newly remodeled facade and meat counter and a delicatessen that offers Mexican food staples.
The business boasts home-baked pan dulce, its own brand of corn tortillas and what has been described as the best carnitas in town.
They have also grown their catering business, which is currently bustling thanks to graduation season events.
“We’re so busy we’re deciding whether or not to take any more orders,” Manuel Gonzales said with a laugh.
Adrian Gonzales (left) purchased the popular D’La Colmena Market & Catering business from his father, Manuel (right), but the two team up to run the business that is celebrating 40 years. Photo by Tarmo Hannula/Pajaronian
Manuel sold the business to his son Adrian last year, but has no plans to retire.
“I’m not going to leave it completely,” he said. “This is my second home.”
Manuel said he has seen children who have grown up coming to the store, who now bring their own kids.
“We have three generations of people come here,” he said.
Adrian said he has been working with his father since he was 8 years old.
He left Watsonville to join the U.S. Army and lived in Oklahoma for two years as he built his own life.
But his hometown called to him, as did the family business, which was getting busier. He returned in 1996.
“I love it here, I grew up here,” he said.
Adrian has overseen the business’ recent remodeling, brought in equipment that helped streamline operations and expanded the meat counter.
He said that the business prides itself on consistently good food, and on its crew of longtime employees. Some have stayed for more than two decades, and one more than 30 years, he said.
Adrian said he was proud to take the mantle of a successful business created by his father.
“I want to take that legacy as far as I can and make him proud of me,” he said.
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D’La Colmena Market & Catering is hosting a 40th anniversary party on Sunday at its 129 West Lake Ave. location from 12-4 p.m. Food and drink is available. Three bands will play throughout the day.
