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Fresh Tortillas In Nothing Flat In Ruskin

Photo by LOIS KINDLE

A new tortilleria and Mexican bakery recently opened at 3066 College Ave. E. in the Sun Point Shopping Center in Ruskin.

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By LOIS KINDLE

lkindle@tampatrib.com

Published: February 25, 2009

RUSKIN - There are many places in South Shore to buy tortillas, but shoppers can get them hot from the manufacturer at the new Tortilleria & Bakery at the Sun Point Shopping Center.

Opened in January, the factory store makes up to 7,500 fresh corn tortillas daily on one of three machines owners Ray and Karen Kipnes hope to be running soon as word spreads the business is open. They also want to develop wholesale accounts in the area.

"There is no comparison between these and the products you buy in a store," Ray Kipnes said. "Once you try them, you'll never go back to any other.

"Ours are gluten-free, have no preservatives, sugar, salt or coloring, and they're thicker and full of flavor," he said.

The privately owned Ruskin business is one of three the couple operate. They also own Valle Tortilleria in Palmetto and an outlet store in Oneco. The Palmetto store produces flour tortillas, and the Ruskin site focuses on corn. Both varieties and homemade tamales are sold at all three stores.

Recently, the Kipneses added Mexican desserts to their offerings. They include concha, fruit-filled empanadas, turnovers, elephant ears and specialty breads and cheesecake made to order. Also featured are Mexican crumbling cheese, flan, tres leches cake and Jarritos-brand soft drinks.

Originally from Baltimore, Kipnes and his wife moved to Sarasota in 2002, looking for a business opportunity in the area. They discovered the booming Valle Tortilleria, learned it was a relatively easy business to operate and purchased it from its original owner.

Kipnes said the new store in Ruskin employs two: Ramiro Perez, the manager, and his brother, Jose Palomo. Both are bilingual.

Lois Kindle can be reached at (813) 865-1553.

TORTILLERIA & BAKERY

WHERE: 3066 College Ave. E., Sun Point Shopping Center, Ruskin

OWNERS: Ray and Karen Kipnes

MANAGER: Ramiro Perez

PRODUCTS: Freshly made corn and flour tortillas, Mexican pastries, soft drinks, crumbling cheese, flan, specialty breads, homemade tamales and tres leche cake

HOURS: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., 365 days a year

INFORMATION: Call (813) 641-2798.

To see a photo gallery, go to southshore.TBO .com, keyword: Tortilleria & Bakery.

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