“It’s important to know about other cultures. When people come to this country to try to find something better for their families, it’s difficult to be far from home. Sometimes you want to eat native food or hear someone speak like you. I feel this mission to be a support and connection point for Brazilians that are in this country. It’s also important to share my Brazilian culture with those who have never been to Brazil.
I had another restaurant, but it was in a mall food court. It was very difficult. I had to be open 10 hours every day and follow all the mall rules. I didn’t like that. I did a lot of research about this area. People told me I needed to be in Baltimore, close to Broadway. I chose this area with my eyes and my heart open."
"I want it to feel like home for Brazilians and if people have never been, I want them to get a taste of our cultural atmosphere. Brazilians smile a lot and are very friendly, warm people. Everything revolves around food for us. We unite at the table, listen to lively music and eat tasty, traditional food. That’s what we do in our restaurant. Our market also sells Brazilian gifts and food items so if you’ve been to our country and love our food, you can buy everything you need for the recipe."
"Family is also important to me so I do this to give to my family. I know many women business owners. I believe we care for our businesses like we care for our children, our babies. With our hearts, we put all the love in the business, like a maternal feeling. We want the business to be clean and in order. It’s not always easy, but when you have a mission and a dream, you can’t give up. You have to fight for it. If you fall seven times, you have to get up eight."
"I like when people come all the way from Pennsylvania and say, ‘I’m so happy you are here. Oh my God. You have so much from my home. The food tastes like what family makes.’ It seems like small, very simple things, but Brazilian people like the feeling of home. They smile and enjoy the food and music. That makes me happy.”
