Juvenal Martinez works on one of his creations in the kitchen at his Springfield bakers. Photos: Mike Eyster
SPRINGFIELD – As a teenager, Juvenal Martinez worked at a famous bakery in Mexico City (La Gran Via). He started by sweeping floors and washing dishes. Ultimately, he became the production manager of the bakery.
He was captivated by the idea of someday owning his own business. In 1997 he left his wife and daughter behind in Mexico to seek work in Springfield, where his cousin lived, hoping to set a foundation strong enough to one day move his family as well.
He soon found work in farm fields and eventually took a job as a roofer. It was while he was working as a roofer that a friend asked him to bake a cake.
It didn’t take long before a lot of people were asking him to bake cakes and desserts.
Martinez would work all day on roofs and then go home to bake cakes in his apartment. He was doing well enough that his wife Lupita and daughter Alejandra had joined him.
Twenty years after arriving, alone, in Springfield, he opened his own bakery in west Eugene. In the meantime, Alejandra was learning English and graduated from Springfield High School.
Today, Juvenal’s Bakery is located in Springfield at 541 W. Centennial Blvd. – with Juvenal, Luptia, and Alejandra operating the bakery.
Lupita displays a few of their creations at the bakery. Photos: Mike Eyster
Juvenal’s is one example of the thriving Hispanic businesses in Springfield. According to Henry Fields, workforce analyst for the State of Oregon, the number of Hispanic workers in Lane County increased by nearly five times since 1992, whereas the overall workforce grew about 36%. In addition, Springfield’s population is 11% Hispanic. However, the number of people who identify as “Hispanic or Latino” more than doubled in Springfield since 2000.
There are nearly 1,500 Hispanic residents combined in Creswell and Cottage Grove.
The Hispanic population is projected to nearly double between 2016-2060, while the overall population is projected to grow 25% nationally.
When one enters Juvenal’s bakery they are greeted by an energetic Lupita, who typically starts her day at 8 a.m. and doesn’t end it until 10 p.m. Juvenal often works from 6 a.m. until 11 p.m. Alejandra works at the bakery when she is not working at her full-time job. The bakery is open seven days a week.
Martinez gets a sparkle in his eye when he talks about his bakery. While his humility is obvious, so is the pride he takes in operating the bakery with his family. Their work is well known and appreciated throughout the Willamette Valley and beyond. Customers come from as far away as Roseburg, Florence, Salem, and Bend.
Last year, Juvenal’s won the People’s Choice Award at the annual Desserts for Dinner event in Springfield.
Juvenal’s provides baked goods and desserts for birthday parties, quinceaneras, anniversaries, other special events, and everyday meals. It also makes and sells tamales, smoothies, ice cream, detox juices, fruit cups, and more.
