ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Eduardo Colon, the owner of Melao Bakery, will be honored this weekend at the 2023 Florida Puerto Rican Parade and Festival as the godfather of the parade.
Read: How to watch: 2023 Florida Puerto Rican Parade & Festival
Melao Bakery was born in Puerto Rico more than three decades ago, and Colon had been eyeing a Central Florida expansion for a while.
He says he saw the need and finally took the leap of faith, opening his first location in Kissimmee in 2008.
Read: Channel 9′s Kirstin Delgado emcees 2023 FL Puerto Rican Parade Gala, Scholarship awards
The bakery started with five employees, and 15 years later, they have about 130 employees and opened a location in Orlando 7 years ago.
The bakery was also a beacon of hope during Hurricane Maria in 2017 when the storm hit Puerto Rico.
Read: Puerto Rico group helps local Hispanic community get connected to medical resources
After the hurricane, Colon and his wife went to Puerto Rico to deliver generators, check on their employees’ families, and offer support to those in need.
Colon never thought all this would be possible and says he is still so moved when he hears people travel worldwide to visit his bakery and restaurant.
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