By Galu Caf,Tainá Fonseca • Times of San Diego

Copyright timesofsandiego

The beginning of Hispanic Heritage Month — Sept. 15-Oct. 15 — is an excellent time to check out downtown Chula Vista.

Chula Vista invites locals and visitors to indulge themselves in the Latin-owned businesses that have helped shape Third Avenue’s character.

Third Avenue offers many tasty stops, beginning with Don Pedro’s Taco Shop and Talavera Azul, which have become favorites among locals and visitors alike. If you’re in the mood for a sweet treat, La Concha Bakery is stocked with custom creations, including a tasty Tres Leches cake.

If, after that, you might find yourself in need of a pick-me-up, stop by Galu Café where you can order specialty coffee and snacks made from scratch since 2002.

“Hispanic Heritage Month means so much to us. Our roots are in Mexico, and they inspire everything we do,” said the owner of Galū Cafe, Paulina Márquez. “From the flavors we share to the little details in our café, our culture is the center of it all. People often tell us that walking into our space feels like stepping into a café in Mexico City, and hearing that truly fills us with joy.”

Mujer Divina offers a cozy burrito and coffee house, and if you’re ready for more food and drinks, head on down to El Comal and try their homemade tortillas.

Third Avenue is more than just tasty bites. It invites its visitors to stop at El Cholo’s Kid, a gift shop specializing in its handcrafted, eco-friendly bags made by Mexican artisans. The brand was founded in 2008 and has been featured in Teen Vogue.

However, Chula Vista isn’t just about the goods it can offer; it’s about the people and cultural blends.

“Hispanic culture is that cross-border dialogue between both the United States and Mexico. It’s really inextricably linked … they exist together, and they’re defined by one another,” said Dominic Li Mandri, district manager of the Downtown Chula Vista Association.

Li Mandri said that the authenticity downtown is in the fact that many of the people running the businesses have grown up here, giving it a hometown feel.

“There are a lot of businesses that are older generational businesses,” Li Mandri said. “They may not look like they have a heavy Hispanic heritage, but then you walk in and you talk with some of the owners or the operators of those businesses, or the employees, and you’ll find out that now the people that grew up and live in Chula Vista are oftentimes people that are working in these businesses.

“So beneath the surface is always a strong linkage back to that Hispanic heritage here in Chula Vista.”

Several Latino-owned businesses also specialize in cultural celebrations such as quinceañeras. Cynderella Brides and Formal Illusions, as well as the suits at Angelo Formal Wear, will get you ready for any celebration.

Another unique cultural event is Chula Vista’s Lemon Festival. The event commemorates the agricultural history of the city, which was once the lemon capital of the world.

Chula Vista also puts on a grand Día de los Muertos celebration, inviting visitors to honor their loved ones on Day of the Dead.

“Although Día de los Muertos has long been a long-standing tradition in the South Bay and Mexican American culture, there wasn’t an official event for Día de los Muertos in downtown Chula Vista,” Li Mandri said.

“So that was something that we were very happy to bring to the community. I completely embraced it, and now it’s one of our iconic events for downtown that we hold every year, and we’re so proud to do so, because we see so many community members come out to engage in it.”

A restaurant that celebrates Día de los Muertos all year round is none other than Kalaveras, which offers a perfect spooky dinner or cocktail stop to end your evening.

“Our dream has always been to leave a lasting legacy here in Chula Vista,” Márquez said. “This is our home. We are Hispanic, we’re from Chula Vista, and we love it here. From the very beginning, our goal was to stay rooted in this community and give back by offering what we felt was missing. We want our neighbors to know that South Bay deserves amazing, high-quality flavors too! There’s no need to drive north when you can find it right here at home.”

The businesses in downtown Chula Vista hold a legacy, and they’re ready to continue sharing their stories in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month.