Grand opening; Jumping Bean Taqueria Expands to Calexico, Inspiring Local Business Growth
Calexico CA - El Jumping Bean Taqueria celebrated the grand opening of its new location in Calexico on Monday, January 13. The event, hosted by the Brawley Chamber of Commerce in collaboration with the City of Calexico, drew a crowd that included the Mayor of Calexico and most of the City Council. This milestone marked a significant step for the family-owned business, which has been a beloved name in the region since opening its first location in Brawley in 2019, following eight successful years of catering.
The journey to opening the Calexico location was not without its challenges. Co-owner Juan Cedric Castillo explained that the process of securing approvals from the city was lengthy and difficult, delaying their plans for over a year. “We had a really hard time trying to open because the city was giving us a really hard time,” Castillo shared. “About a month and a half ago, we had an event with the police station, and I talked to the City Manager Juan. Thanks to him and others, they helped us out a lot to be able to open here. If not, we’d probably still be stuck with the city.” With the support of key city officials, Jumping Bean Tacos was able to complete the final steps, opening its doors to the community in just over a month.
Guardo Castillo, owner of El Jumping Bean Taqueria, highlighted the importance of investing in Calexico, addressing the skepticism some people have about starting businesses in the border city. “Every single time someone says, ‘Oh, we’re going to open up in Calexico,’ people tend to say, ‘Why Calexico? It’s right next to the border. It’s not going to hit.’” Castillo emphasized that their goal is to change this narrative and encourage others to invest locally. “We want people to stop thinking Calexico is a bad place to invest. This is our home—we were raised here, and our heart is here. Hopefully, this inspires others to open up businesses in Calexico and see the potential of our community.”
The Castillo family also credited their father, Guardo Castillo Jr., for laying the foundation of the business and instilling in them the values of perseverance and hard work. “My dad built the ship, and we’re the ones driving it now,” said Guardo Castillo. “If it wasn’t for him, neither Jumping Bean here nor the one in Brawley would exist. He’s still very involved and continues to support us every step of the way.” Reflecting on their family’s journey, the Castillos expressed their gratitude to the community for supporting them and to the city officials who helped them overcome the hurdles they faced.
“I want to thank everyone for coming, with out you this would not be possible” Guardo Casto Jr. the founder of El Jumping Bean Taqueria said during the grand opening
You may have seen El Jumping Bean Taqueria on social media, with some of their content garnering thousands of views and likes, and their Instagram page boasting 10,000 followers with help from content agency “shotbydosa”. Social media has been a crucial part of their success, with short and humorous skits attracting customers from all over the Imperial Valley and even around the world, helping to skyrocket their business.
El Jumping Bean Taqueria, known for its authentic flavors and commitment to quality, is now poised to make its mark in Calexico. The family hopes their success will inspire other entrepreneurs to push through challenges, invest locally, and contribute to the growth and vibrancy of the region.