Le Cave's is moving

To get her fill of goodies, Grisby turned to Le Cave's Bakery, 1219 S. Sixth Ave., a sugar shop whose doughnuts, cakes and empanadas, have been drawing Tucsonans to the South Side for 71 years.

But Grisby and other Le Cave regulars soon will have to follow the bakery to a new location.

Le Cave's owner Rudy Molina Sr. and manager Rudy Jr., recently listed the bakery's 7,000-square-foot building for sale at $900,000.

"I just hope they keep the bakery legend alive," Grisby said, clutching a bag full of baked goods.

Molina Jr. said in an interview the bakery is not closing down, but instead is on the move and looking to expand to new locations on the North, East and South sides of the city. After mulling over a decision for about five years, Molina said it was time for the bakery to look for new locations.

Depending on the sale, the bakery could move in the next six months to a year.

"It's purely a business decision," Molina Jr. said. "We know we can triple, even quadruple sales in other parts of the city."

Citing a changing business climate in the neighborhood and slow development of the Downtown revitalization project, Rio Nuevo, the younger Molina said it makes sense to find new areas in which to expand.

"The area is just not what it used to be," he said. "There's little support with area businesses, and new residents aren't moving here anymore."

Located on South Sixth Avenue just south of 22nd Street, the location is good for another bakery or restaurant, said Rob Gillette, president of Gillette Commercial Inc.

"The area, looks well-maintained," Gillette said. "I think the business location probably works best for a food business that can capitalize on Hispanic culture on the South Side of Tucson."

A number of well-established Mexican restaurants already operate in the area, and restaurants that can develop a following would do well there, Gillette said.

After seeing local grocers close their doors and chain stores moving into nearby neighborhoods, Molina said they've been able to keep customers coming in.

"It is a testament to who we are," he said.

Other South Side businesses have left the area and are finding success.

Two years ago, the owners of Laura's Bridal & Quinceañera picked up their 8-year-old shop on West Ajo Way near South Sixth Avenue and moved to a new Midtown location at 2257 E. Broadway, after the shop's lease expired.

It was time to move, said owner Blanca Vasquez, who recently bought the shop from sister Laura Gutierrez.

"Business was good for us. But we wanted to grow," she said, adding that longtime South Side residents still come to the shop.

Suzette Peralta, a Le Cave's customer and South Side resident, said she will follow the bakery wherever it goes.

She has ordering birthday cakes from Le Cave's since her son was born. He is now 13.

"There aren't a lot of bakeries to choose from around here," Peralta said.

"It's sad they're moving. But as long as they're aren't closing, it'll be fine."

Molina Jr. said keeping loyal customers is important.

"We have fifth-generation customers coming in. It's important to maintain our loyalty to the South Side," he said, citing plans to open possibly along Valencia Road.

The bakery was established in 1935 by Basil Le Cave. Rudy Molina Sr. bought it in 1981.

Over the years, Molina Sr. has stepped back from daily operations, with Molina Jr. taking over.

With only six-full time employees, Molina Jr. said taking on larger chain stores is not a worry, citing sales of 500 dozen doughnuts a day and 350 special orders for cakes a week.

"We know we can expand successfully," he said.