P*DE*Q: A Testimony of Local Economic Growth

Local businesses are the economic drivers of our community, providing 70% of the jobs in our area. Last week, we celebrated with P*DE*Q, a locally-owned cheese bread retailer and manufacturer. P*DE*Q opened a new manufacturing facility on 1940 N. Echo Street, located across from Fresno High School (replacing the old Echo Street Coffee and Javawava).

The name comes from the Brazilian pão de quiejo. I was first introduced to the tasty treats at the inaugural Fresno Food Expo this past March, which created a platform for local businesses in the food industry to establish connections with buyers and suppliers--Costco, Whole Foods, Save Mart and other local and national retailers. At the expo, I met P*DE*Q owner Flavia Takahashi-Flores, her husband Roger, and one of their employees Cassie, who were all so kind-hearted and excited about their new product. This is Flavia:

In 2005, Flavia had a dream of opening up a small kiosk that would serve P*DE*Q, the the gluten free tapioca-based bread (a common snack from her native country). A few years later, her dream grew as she realized that there was a void in the market for pão de quiejo manufacturers. Now, P*DE*Q is officially open as a retail storefront and manufacturing headquarters.

“P*DE*Q continues to grow and change every day. We’re very pleased with how the community has embraced us—both as a company and as a product.”

Flavia employs four people and worked with 21 businesses to bring P*DE*Q to life. The space is a “grab and go” outlet store and a cafe serves walk-in customers fresh, crispy P*DE*Q, as well as coffee, tea, and other beverages.

Mayor Ashley Swearengin cheered on the success of this new business:

“The goal of the Fresno Food Expo is to support and help grown local businesses in not only Fresno, but in the San Joaquin Valley. P*DE*Q is a prime example of how this mission and structure can help other local businesses – to either launch or increase outreach and connections to continue to expand and grow its base.”

P*DE*Q is currently open to customers Monday through Wednesday, from 6:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m; Thursday and Friday, from 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Saturday, from 7 a.m. to noon. For more information on P*DE*Q, visit www.pdeq.net.