Life & Work with Maria Cervantes of Bellflower

Today we’d like to introduce you to Maria Cervantes.

Hi Maria, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’ve experienced many hardships throughout my life, but each challenge helped shape the person I am today.

I was born in the small town of Iguala, Guerrero, about three hours from Mexico City. I come from a broken family with two sisters and one brother. My earliest memories are painful, my father abandoned us when I was just six years old, and not long after, my mother left for America, leaving her four children to be raised by different families. It was a difficult time, and growing up without the presence of both parents taught me resilience from a young age.

Despite the struggles, I worked wherever I could to help put food on the table. While working, I met my now-husband, Ramon. He courted me for three months, and after three years of being together, we decided to build a life as husband and wife. We married in a simple civil ceremony and had our first son, Edgar, when I was only 19. A year and a half later, we welcomed our second son, Alfredo.

Life in Mexico was tough, especially raising a young family, so my husband began looking for better opportunities. He made the brave decision to move to California in hopes of giving us a better future. In 1990, my sons and I were finally able to join him in Los Angeles. We started over with very little, and my husband worked various jobs to support us. In 1994, we had our third son, Alex.

My first job in the U.S. was at Vons, a grocery store. I worked there for five years before being laid off. That’s when a new opportunity changed the course of my life. In 1997, I was hired at a Dutch specialty store on Artesia Boulevard in Bellflower. The store had a long history, it was originally founded by a Dutch owner in 1943 and was one of the first importers and distributors of Dutch food products in California. At the time I joined, it was being run by a Chinese-American-Filipino owner who had bought it from the original Dutch founder.

That job opened doors I never imagined. I worked hard and eventually earned the position of store manager when the former manager retired, the same woman who had trained me and mentored me with care and patience. I quickly developed a deep passion for the Dutch and Indonesian culture, food, and especially the customers. I learned to understand and even speak common Dutch and Indonesian phrases—like “Dank je wel” (thank you) and “Lekker!” (delicious). I truly fell in love with the “Taste of Dutch” and the people who brought that culture to life.

Over the next 17 years, I gained hands-on experience in every part of the business—customer service, inventory, product sourcing, shipping, and more. But in June 2014, the original Dutch store, after 71 years, sadly closed its doors. The community was heartbroken to lose such a beloved store.

Even before the closure, the Purchasing Manager from Empire International, a Dutch-Indonesian food distributor, encouraged me to open my own store. She offered to help provide products and even spoke to the owner to extend a 30-day credit to help me get started. At first, I thought it was impossible. We didn’t have a huge investment, and starting a business was daunting. But deep down, I knew I had the passion, the experience, and the drive and most importantly, the love for what I did and the people I served.

With encouragement, faith, and constant prayer, I decided to take a leap. We used our savings to cover startup costs, rent, and renovations for a former café space that we transformed into a new Dutch market. Just four months later, on November 1st, 2014, I cut the ribbon at the grand opening of Holland International Market—or H.I.M., which to me means “God Himself.” This store felt like a gift from above, and the name reflects that. The Mayor of Bellflower attended, along with local officials and many of our old customers. The store was filled with hugs, tears, and so much love. It was the happiest day of my life.

Since then, our store has become a special place for the Dutch-Indo community and anyone seeking a taste of home. My husband Ramon and our youngest son Alex work closely with me to run the store and fulfill orders from our website, www.dutchmarketinusa.com. We ship nationwide so customers across the U.S. can enjoy the flavors of their heritage. We also have an amazing team member, Deanne, who is of Indonesian descent and brings her deep knowledge of Dutch-Indo products to our team. She’s an incredible asset and part of our extended family.

We carry specialty items that are hard to find anywhere else—droppies (black licorice), Dutch cheeses, speculaas cookies, chocolate sprinkles (hagelslag), krupuk, bumbus, sambals, and so much more. I try to make everyone feel like family. Many customers have become close friends. I know their names, their favorite products, and I love chatting with them when they visit. Some start with a hug and leave with a hug, except during the pandemic, of course. I’ve lost a few of my longtime customers over the years, and I miss them deeply. They were like family to me.

Looking back, I’m filled with gratitude. I came to California seeking a better life, and today I feel proud of what we’ve built, not just a store, but a home for the Dutch-Indo community. A place for immigrants, their children, and grandchildren to reconnect with their roots, and experience the familiar comfort of food, music, and tradition. When customers walk in and hear the Dutch songs playing in the background, it takes them back to their childhoods and their family homes. That, to me, is the greatest reward.

I’ve even had the opportunity to visit Holland three times—a dream come true. Though I am proudly Mexican, I always say: I’m Dutch by heart!

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Even after opening the store, the road has still had many bumps. Running a small business is never easy. In the beginning, I had to do everything myself, from setting up the shelves to managing orders and talking to suppliers. There were times I didn’t know if we’d make rent, especially during slow seasons.

One of the hardest times was during the pandemic. We lost a lot of foot traffic, and it was tough keeping up with safety rules, shipping delays, and product shortages. Prices went up, and sometimes we couldn’t get the Dutch and Indonesian items our customers love.

Even now, I still face challenges, keeping up with rising costs, staying visible online, and making sure every customer leaves happy. But I’m committed to this work because I love what I do and the community we’ve built.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m someone who loves serving others, even though I run a small Dutch-Indonesian market. It’s more than just a store to me. Every day, I get to connect with people, and helping them find the foods they miss from back home, listening to all my customers stories, and sharing smiles and hugs. I’ve learned so much about many people’s heritage and, not just Dutch and Indonesian cultures. It’s just simply become a big part of who I am, I do it with a passion.

What I’m most proud of is how people feel when they walk into our store. They often tell me it feels like home and, that always brings a smile to my face. I think what sets me apart is that I truly care, not just about selling products, but about the people behind every order, every visit. I remember their names, their favorite items, and I try to make everyone feel seen, welcome and, most importantly feel like back home.

This work is personal. It’s about love, connection, and sharing something special with others and, that’s what keeps me going!

Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
I don’t really follow many books or podcasts, but my biggest source of strength and guidance has always been my faith. Prayer gives me peace and direction, especially during hard times. I also get inspired by the people around me, my family, my loyal customers, and even strangers who share their stories in the store. Their encouragement reminds me why I do what I do.

I believe that learning doesn’t always come from formal resources, it comes from real life, hard work, and staying open to people. Every day in the store teaches me something new!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.dutchmarketinusa.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hollandinternationalmarket/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HollandInternationalMarket/
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/holland-international-market-bellflower-6