Maria Martinez, the Bay Area’s Tamale Queen, has lived in Fruitvale for 50 years.  At age 72, she has owned 3 different businesses and is an active member of the community.  “I don’t ever see myself leaving.  It is so full of history and memories for so many people here.  My own building is the same one where I used to buy wine for my brother.  I want more people to be able to experience the richness of this place.”

Her current business, World Cup Coffee, is one block away from the recently built Fruitvale Transit Village and right off of International Blvd, one of Oakland’s busiest streets.  Over the years, Maria has seen the community go through many changes, overcoming economic slumps. With the opening of the Fruitvale Transit Village, she sees a rebirth “back into the beautiful and rich community that I remember.  Now people all come ready to relax in my gardened patio and eat my tamales.”

 While Maria has always had regular customers from the neighborhood, "being near the Transit Village has been wonderful.  The neighborhood looks clean and welcoming and the stores attract new people.  Now I have customers from all over the Bay Area."  Furthermore, Maria enjoys being so close to BART and shops because "it's like a community magnet.  The library is right around the corner and I get to make tamales for all of their fundraisers and the local festivals.  Everything happens right here."

 Being so close to downtown has not only helped facilitate opportunities for her business, but "it’s wonderful for all the youth in the neighborhood."  For many years, Maria’s home and tamale shop was like a youth community center. She taught teenage girls how to sew clothing and organized fashion shows for them.  “I want the teens to build self esteem and to be leaders in this community.  Being so close to transportation and the town center exposes them to endless opportunities to learn about other communities and cultures.”