Welcome to our second installment of LOCAL TALKS, a monthly space in which we highlight the most emblematic businesses and characters of San Miguel de Allende, with exclusive interviews to learn more about their history and legacy. In our first deliveryWe spoke with La Botica de Santa Teresita, a family business with more than 150 years of experience creating personal care products. This month, join us to discover another family business that is, in fact, said to be the oldest in the entire state; we are referring to the bakery “La Colmena”. 

According to its owners, this typical bakery began in 1901 with Mr. Florentino Rayas, in the same location of Relox No. 21 where it is now and where it is well known as the “blue door” bakery or “the blue door bakery” as expats call it. 

In this LOCAL TALKS 02 interview, Mr. José Antonio Rayas Trejo takes us on a journey back in time to the beginnings of the business, telling us how over the years he has faced various challenges that have put him in danger, and also how he has had to adapt to new forms of production, transforming his breads even from the raw materials that have changed. The work and effort of several generations is reflected in their daily life, and in the legacy of this bakery as an icon that has brought happiness to so many San Miguel residents and visitors. 

We deeply thank the Rayas family for their time and availability to make this second installment of LOCAL TALKS possible. Don't forget to follow the bakery “La Colmena” on Facebook, and stay informed about its news and specials, and of course, don't forget to visit it!