Work started on new Downey bakery

Three generations of the family of Raul Porto Sr. and his wife, Rosa, stand in front of the sign on the site of their third bakery, 8233 Firestone Blvd., during ground-breaking ceremonies Monday. From left are Raul Porto Sr., Hilario Navarro, Betty Porto, Arianna Navarro, Rosa Porto, Diego Navarro, in back; Raul Porto Jr., and Margarite Navarro. (Photo by Arnold Adler)

By WAVE STAFF

Story Created: Nov 25, 2009 at 12:13 PM PST

Story Updated: Nov 25, 2009 at 12:13 PM PST

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DOWNEY — Ground-breaking ceremonies took place Monday for the planned two-story Porto’s Bakery and Cafe at 8233 Firestone Blvd., replacing a vacant two-story building which has been demolished.

The site backs up to Second Street and will include the bakery and a two-level, 172-space parking structure.

Also planned is the remodeling of the adjoining five-story building at 8255 Firestone Blvd. Plans are to lease that out as office space, said Mark Sellheim, senior planner for the city.

Sellheim said the standard parking space size is 8.5-feet-by-18-feet. But 66 of the spaces in the parking structure will be for smaller cars and measure 7.5-by-15-feet.

The site is bounded by Firestone on the south, Downey Avenue on the east, Second Street on the north and closed sections of New Street on the west. The site was formerly known as Cardono Square.

Rosa and Raul Porto Sr., established the family operated Cuban-style bakery in Glendale 35 years ago. A second bakery has since opened in Burbank. Downey will be the family’s third bakery.

The bakery and cafe will operate from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sundays, Sellheim said in his report.

Sellheim said the bakery will take up about 12,700 square feet on the first floor with about 9,600 square feet of that devoted to bakery operations and 3,115 square feet will be used as the cafe.

There will be two indoor dining areas totaling about 2,000 square feet and two outdoor patios totaling about 1,120 square feet.

The 5,000 square feet on the second floor will be used for five office spaces, a conference room, an employee’s lounge and restroom and storage, Sellheim added.

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Julissa g said on Saturday, Oct 16 at 8:11 PM

Yeah, at last we don't have to get up early every thanhksgivin to go to Portos in Glendale.much closer,thanks to the Portos family,we really love everything.suerte mi gente Cubana,,

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fran said on Tuesday, Sep 28 at 10:55 AM

does anyone know where i can apply at

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jose said on Wednesday, Jul 14 at 6:09 PM

just i want to know when it goin a be open portos bakery in downey because i live nerby of the new location & i want to buy some cheeseroll `cause i love those cake okay bye.

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mark said on Sunday, Apr 18 at 9:21 PM

IM SO HAPPY PORTOS MANAGMENT IS STARTING TO MOVE AROUND NOW DOWNEY HOPEFULLY NEXT PALM SPRINGS / SAN DIEGO AND LAS VEGAS CONGRATULATIONS

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aguilar family said on Sunday, Apr 18 at 9:14 PM

My kids just love the cakes...I'm so happy I can go now north or south on the 5fwy to go to portos bakeries

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Liz said on Wednesday, Mar 24 at 10:45 PM

=D I am so excited I got my wedding cake from Portos Glendale and my wedding was In Whittieir Ca I now live in Downey it is delecious.

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