Paul: We operate two businesses. Miaa’s Mexican Bistro serves traditional Mexican food for dinner, while breakfast and lunch are a mix of Mexican and American dishes. Everything is made fresh and stays true to traditional flavors. Corner Cafe focuses more on espresso drinks, lattes, and coffee, along with pastries and a small food menu. One thing people love is that the cafe menu is available all day, so you can come in early and still order something like a cheeseburger.

Paul: Opening a restaurant was always my wife Alicia’s dream. She grew up around the restaurant industry and worked in it for most of her adult life. For the cafe, there really wasn’t a cozy coffee shop in that part of Palmyra, and Alicia loves coffee, so she wanted to bring something warm and welcoming to the community. The goal was never anything huge, just a comfortable place where people could grab a drink, eat, and feel at home.

Paul: Finding a location for Miaa’s was one of the biggest moments. We were originally looking on the West Shore and were denied multiple times. Even when we first approached the space that became Miaa’s, we were told no. Eventually, things fell through with another tenant, and we were given a chance. We had very little time to renovate and prepare the space, so the beginning was a lot of work. But once we opened, the community was incredibly supportive, and we hit the ground running. Miaa’s really took off and built a strong base of repeat customers.

Paul: What drives us most is the people. Being in the restaurant business has allowed us to meet people we never would have known if we worked normal nine-to-five jobs. We’ve built real relationships with customers and learned so much about the town of Palmyra through their stories. Many customers even brought in old photos of Palmyra from the 1940s and 1950s, which are now displayed in the cafe. That connection with the community keeps us motivated.

Paul: From a business standpoint, our core values are quality food and customer service. Everything we serve is fresh. Our freezer is almost empty because we cut vegetables and prepare ingredients daily. We want people to feel welcome the moment they walk in. Personally, our biggest value is family. Between us, we have six kids, and family is at the center of everything we do.

Paul: One of our biggest obstacles was simply being told no so many times when trying to open Miaa’s. There were moments when it felt like it might not happen. At one point, our backup plan was to start a food truck if we couldn’t secure a location. We kept pushing forward, didn’t give up, and eventually someone believed in us and gave us a chance. That persistence made all the difference.

Paul: Don’t give up. You’re going to hear no, probably more than once. That doesn’t mean your idea isn’t good. Someone out there will believe in you. You just have to keep going, keep adapting, and stay committed to your vision.

Alicia: My favorite quote is “Routine will kill you!” I love doing something new every day.

Paul: We support local schools, donate food for community events, and help with causes when people reach out. We’ve donated pastries and muffins for community openings, and we make it a point to support first responders. If a police officer comes in wearing their uniform, we give them their meal for free. 

Alicia: When I met my husband, I didn’t speak English, and he didn’t speak Spanish! We worked together, and at first, his best friend (who is from Puerto Rico) translated for us. Then he let us be, and we figured it out from there!