Before opening El Bazar Azteca in San Jose three years ago, Teresa Saldana was selling her imported Talavera pottery on street corners out of a van. Even then, the bright colors of the ceramics, instantly recognizable as symbols of Mexican culture, were almost impossible to resist.
“I am probably one of her first customers,” devoted customer Amanda Keith told San José Spotlight. “I kept coming back because of their beautiful display, the quality of the pottery and the pride they take in what they do. They are just spectacular.”
The shop itself was a long time coming. Saldana, a native of Jalisco, Mexico, immigrated to the United States at the age of 20 to raise money to complete her education. For the next 25 years, she held various jobs, including barista, cashier, waitress and porter, all the while maintaining her dream.
“I got married and had four kids,” Saldana told San José Spotlight. “I worked hard and was always thinking that one day I would have something of my own. I wanted to do something that would teach them how to achieve their goals.”…