The Sotelo's Saga: Overcoming personal tragedy while operating a restaurant

(PRWEB) November 19, 2005 -- Sylvia Sotelo decided to open a business in Long Beach after being a personnel director for Target for several years. Comparable to the pioneers of "the West" blazing a new trail in Long Beach was new territory for Sylvia. Even though she currently runs a 10 year old catering business called Alicia's Catering. Alicia's Catering isn't/wasn't enough. She wanted more. She wanted a physical place to call "hers." Sylvia always dreamed of opening her own business and thus she decided to open Sotelo's Café on the corner of 2nd and Orange in the heart of Long Beach. It was a task and a half cleaning up and remodeling after the previous business owner. But finally in April of 2004 everything was in order, the logo was established, glossy menus were printed, and the bright red Sotelo's sign was neatly affixed and adjusted over the entrance. Sylvia felt that everything was now in order. But everything wasn't. Sylvia found herself working overtime and doing all the cooking herself. Sure she had some help, but not full time help, and sometimes not reliable. Although Sylvia was officially trained in preparing French Cuisine, Sylvia wanted to manage not spread herself thin. But it turned out to be quite the contrary. Then there was light at the end of the tunnel, Sylvia connected with a young man attending culinary school. Sylvia hired him as a cook and Sotelo's was welcomed in the community. Regular customers and local business owners patronized the small but community based Sotelo's Café. Business was great. Suddenly, less than year into business, Sylvia was struck with a terminal illness. Cancer. Not only was she afflicted with cancer but one day her aspiring culinary student just walked out on her in the middle of the lunch hour. So in between chemotherapy, radiation treatment and serving coffee Sylvia had to run Sotelo's practically by herself. To make matters worse a dear member of her immediate family became deathly ill. Sylvia was the caretaker. However, in the mist of personally tragedy and illness, Sylvia continued to run her restaurant. She continued to come to work even after radiation, without a break or rest. Her doctor continuously issued proverbial prescriptions and warnings, but Sylvia continued to go to work. Customers could tell that something was wrong, but didn't know what. Soon the customers stopped "bitching" about the inconsistent operating hours and took it upon themselves to occasionally bus their own dishes or get their own coffee . In between the ups and downs of Sotelo's, Sylvia met her current business partner and cook, Alejandro Lopez. Lopez and Sotelo can be considered "two peas in a pod" Customers rave about Alejandro's cooking and baking and now Sylvia can relax a bit. So after 3 surgeries, a new adopted son, single parenthood and all the quirks and perks of being a new mom, and a cluster of personal tragedies, Sotelo's Café is still up and running and providing its community with good food and great customer service. Customers can even send a post card while traveling and receive a free meal on the house. Sotelo's Café is owned and operated by Alejandro and Sylvia. Hours are Tuesday thru Saturday 8:30am to 4:00pm and is located between Broadway and 2nd St at 204 Orange Ave in Long Beach, CA. 562-901-3080. ### Press Contact: Jackie Joice Company Name: WRITER Email: email protected from spam bots Phone: 562.901.3080 Website:

More Information: http://www.prweb.com/releases/2005/11/prweb312531.htm