This East Charlotte bakery is up for a national award. Here’s how to vote

A Charlotte bakery is up for a national award – and they need your help to secure it.

Manolo’s Bakery was nominated for USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards in the Best Cake Shop category, placing it alongside bakeries from across the country.

Known for its customizable tres leches cakes, Manolo’s allows customers to choose from 11 fresh fillings, six cake sizes and a wide range of toppings. The bakery also serves vegan cakes, cheesecakes, tiramisu, fruit tarts and other desserts.

Manolo’s in the community

Beyond its cakes and pastries, the bakery and owner Manuel “Manolo” Betancur have also become closely tied to Charlotte’s immigrant community and advocacy efforts. Betancur was the subject of an award-winning 16-minute documentary short film called “The Changebaker,” which explored his journey from Colombia to the U.S., his pursuit of the American dream and his role as a community leader in Charlotte, CharlotteFive reported.

The film gained added relevance after Manolo’s Bakery became a gathering point for community support during federal immigration raids in Charlotte last fall. Betancur, who previously told CharlotteFive he feared for the safety of his customers and employees during the raids, temporarily closed the bakery for the first time in its history.

In the days that followed, supporters, who Betancur referred to as “all the light,” gathered outside the business in solidarity with Charlotte’s immigrant community.

Even before the immigration raids, Betancur was no stranger to service. During COVID, he gave away more than 5,000 birthday cakes to local families that could not afford them. He and staff also helped deliver 52,000 meals in 2020, in collaboration with World Central Kitchen, to people in need around Charlotte.

His philanthropic and humanitarian efforts helped earn him the World Bread Hero USA award in 2021.

How to vote for Manolo’s Bakery

To vote for Manolo’s Bakery, visit 10best.usatoday.com and click “Vote Now” under Manolo’s. You can cast one vote every day.

Public voting is open through June 8.

Manolo’s Bakery

Location: 4405 Central Ave, Charlotte, NC 28205

Menu

Cuisine: Dessert

Instagram: @manolosbakeryclt

Evan Moore

The Charlotte Observer

Evan Moore is a service journalism reporter for the Charlotte Observer. He grew up in Denver, North Carolina, where he previously worked as a reporter for the Denver Citizen, and is a UNC Charlotte graduate.