Border Patrol’s presence forces owner to close popular east Charlotte bakery citing safety concerns

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A popular Latin American bakery in Charlotte closes for the first time in nearly three decades amid safety concerns due to the nation’s latest immigration crackdown.

Manolo’s Bakery is a staple in east Charlotte. It sits along the main artery and hub for the city’s Hispanic and Latino population.

It’s also an area heavily impacted by the Border Patrol’s immigration crackdown dubbed Operation Charlotte’s Web.

The bakery’s owner, Manuel Betancur, says he closed the business for the first time in 28 years for the safety of himself, his employees, and his customers.

With his passport tightly in his hand, Betancur stays at the bakery throughout the day. The passport, he says, is the golden ticket. The best way to prove citizenship even though he claims won’t stop agents from questioning or possible detainment.

While looking over his shoulder with worry, he walks to the corner of Central Avenue to give a small group of protesters a freshly baked cake.

Betancur says he wants his message to make an impact. That message is now spreading beyond Charlotte and through the nation.

Dozens of reporters stopped by the bakery Monday for interviews, live broadcasts, and photos.

Betancur can be seen answering questions in Spanish and English throughout the day. He appears on media outlets ranging from national media outlets to spanish speaking radio stations.

He says he is tired but won’t sit down. He then raises his fist in the air and states he must continue to serve his community.