ALLENTOWN, Pa. — For café owner Carlos Marrero, cutting the ribbon on his second business doesn’t mean it’s time to let up.
“I vowed for 10 stores in 10 years,” said Marrero, who owns Ms. Velvet’s Café at 239 N. 4th St. and now also Ms. Velvet’s Express Stop at 107 N. 7th St., Suite 160.
“I’m gonna hit my third-year anniversary in August, and I should have my third location open by that.”
On Friday, the new, express-stop sister location — about a half-mile walk from the original walk-up eatery, and just across from the Allentown Transportation Center — welcomed a couple dozen people to celebrate its recent opening.
Its hours will be 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 7 a.m. to noon Saturday and Sunday.
“I vowed for 10 stores in 10 years. I’m gonna hit my third-year anniversary in August, and I should have my third location open by that.”Carlos Marrero, owner of Ms. Velvet's Café
You can expect quick, savory food for sale at the new spot — think bacon egg and cheese, bagels, steak sandwiches, chicken salad and BLTs.
For larger platters, head to the 4th street location, store manager Vanessa Perez said.
A trip is made three times monthly to the Bronx for some “excellent” New York bagels to sell at the new store, Perez said.
To wash it down, some of the express stop’s options include hot and ice tea; hot and iced coffee; the Midtown (lemonade, ice tea and a splash of fruit punch); and morir soñando (orange dreamsicle).
Also for sale: coffee cake, other snacks, ice and toilet paper.
'It means the world'
As buses came and went across Church Street from the express stop, Mayor Matt Tuerk said travelers are in luck.
“Whether they’re on their way across town, or across the Lehigh Valley or headed out to New York City, they’re going to get the love of Allentown through amazing treats and coffee and all the good stuff — but especially that little dose of Carlos’ personality,” Tuerk said.
“As God gives me life, I’ll be there with him."Iris Gonzalez, mother of Carlos Marrero, on her son's journey as a business owner
Watching Ms. Velvet’s pride itself on “friendly service, delicious food and a true sense of community,” Vaughan Bryant, manager of Allentown initiatives with the city Chamber of Commerce, said cutting the ribbon couldn’t have come on a better day.
“With this new location, they’re expanding their reach and continuing to serve our community with the same dedication and passion that have made them a local favorite,” Bryant said. “It’s very timely that it’s on Valentine’s Day that we’re celebrating their love and commitment to our city with a secondary location.”
Marrero said, “It means the world.”
Building on his successes, and with plans for more stores, he won’t be alone in it all.
“As God gives me life, I’ll be there with him,” said Iris Gonzalez, Marrero’s mother.
Ms. Velvet’s was named in honor of Marrero’s sister, Ruby, who was killed in a hit and run in February 2017.
Five years later, Marrero made a dream of his a reality, opening Mrs. Velvet’s Café.
The 4th Street location is just two blocks from where Ruby lived and died.
