Buenas brings empanada love to Union
Published August 2024
Ever imagine a spicy Italian Sub empanadas? Buenas did it! With a rotating menu of fun (hello chicken and waffles emp!) and classic flavors of both frozen and ready-to-eat empanadas, owner Melissa Stefanini does not shy away from creativity in the kitchen.
Since opening Buenas in Bow Market in 2018, Melissa has spread her empanada love through Union—even winning the 2023 Holiday Stroll Storefront Decoration Contest. Read on to discover the secret behind Melissa’s spark for these savory and sweet snacks.
Tell us a little about your business!
Buenas, on paper, is a line of specialty goods inspired by South America, good for making whatever you want. We're known in Somerville as an empanada shop, but the DNA of our business is wholesale and that's actually how we got our start!
I call our shop at Bow Market our tiny flagship, but we provide empanadas and sauces to some of Boston's best breweries, gourmet grocers, and restaurants.
What inspired you to start a business? How did this feeling grow once you actually started your business?
My background is in advertising—I am a copywriter by trade—so my inspiration to start and get Buenas off the ground was the opportunity to work on a creative project with real-life impact. I spent many hours working on pitch decks that never saw the light of day, so I wanted to put some effort into a venture that would make people smile.
Once I had been in the business of food for a bit, I realized that the mix of advertising + hospitality was a sweet spot for me—creating space for community, especially around food, is what keeps me going.
What aspect of your business makes you most proud to be a business leader in our community?
The people in my universe—the people that make up Somerville, and the folks who make up my staff—make me extraordinarily proud to keep doing what I do. The restaurant/food industry is so tough, and it's simply because of this community that I'm proud to keep going, keep creating space, keep creating good memories. I think this is really important.