Today we’d like to introduce you to Catalina Ortiz.
Hi Catalina, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’m originally from Monterrey, Mexico and immigrated to Southern California for a job opportunity. I raised my children there and after 14 years, we decided to make the move to San Antonio so we could be to be closer to family. I was working retail at the time, where I met my late friend and soon to be business partner, Letty.
Letty and I had been working together for many years, while we were coworkers we’d chat about our dreams of having our own business. She knew that my family had a long line of bakers and were in the culinary business. She mentioned a business in Bulverde that was looking for new ownership, near the jewelry studio she was taking classes at. One day she asked if I would check it out, and potentially consider taking it over with her.
Looking back now, it’s nothing like the business we have today. It was part mercantile, part antique shop with a small kitchen space, serving mostly the local neighborhood. Our original idea was a coffee shop with retail goods.
In the beginning, we were selling about 20 sandwiches a day. We offered a small menu of brunch items and homemade baked goods. Soon we realized how much the business was growing and the demand for our food in the area. We shifted to mostly restaurant, and hired a couple employees. After 2 years, Letty wanted to spend more time with her family and I took over as sole owner. As business kept growing so did our need for more room. The lines were out the door somedays, even through the pandemic. In 2022, the space next door became available and we took it over. Since then, our Chef (Rodrigo Lana) has helped me expand the business to what it is today, a full scale restaurant operation with waited staff, serving a made-from scratch-bistro menu.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It wasn’t always smooth- I worked very long hours in the beginning, and any money I made, I would put back into the business. Any bumps in the road, were made easier by our community through their support for Hatch and love of the food. We had to figure out how to keep the business going during the pandemic. Myself and another very dedicated employee were taking food orders to customer’s their car. Managing renovations, people, equipment and the growing cost of food can be challenging but I’ve learned that bumps in the road are part of owning a business and to take them with stride. Ultimately it’s a very rewarding journey, that I credit my faith too and give glory to God for.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I have always been a very creative person. I went to school for Fashion Design and had a small career in that industry. When my kids were little I quit and started working from and started my career as an artist doing oil paintings. I had a few exhibits in Mexico and clients both in Mexico and California. At the same time, my baking career also started through cakes for private events and weddings. Soon I started getting recognized for that and started teaching professional cake decorating. That’s when the opportunity for the business came along. I am most proud to be a part of a long line of entrepreneurs in my family. My parents had a successful bakery in Mexico, and my sisters have success culinary art schools and business in Mexico. I am blessed to be a part of them and continue that legacy here in the Hill Country through Hatch.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
Listen to your heart, don’t get easily discouraged and keep going. Faith in God is very important. Know that everything will work out if you put a lot of love and hard work behind it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://hatchcafeandbistro.com
- Instagram: hatchcafeandbistro
- Facebook: Hatch Cafe & Bistro – Brunch – Catering
