STOCKTON, Calif. — While Thursday marked the second and final day of Dia de los Muertos, the last-minute festivities made it a busy morning at Stockton's El Dorado Market.
On the bakery shelves of the 51-year-old family-owned business was a sweet treat that only makes an appearance for three days each year: pan de muertos.
Pan de muertos, which translates to "bread of the dead," is one of several key cultural elements used to celebrate the holiday and honor the lives of loved ones who've died.
"They've been asking for this bread for the last three days or so and we've been making them," said Emiliano Solorio Jr., whose family owns the Mexican market on El Dorado Street. "Not until the last 10 or 15 years, it's been a real popular day (in the U.S.). 15 years or longer ago, it was mentioned but not as much as it is now, I think."
The increase in the holiday's local popularity means more pan de muertos flying off the shelves at the Solorios' market. When all is said and done, the family expects to nearly double its baked good sales.
"People always get together on this day," said Solorio. "It's very important for the families."
While pan de muertos is a fan-favorite, the Mexican bread is not the only fast-selling festive item. Solorio says he's noticed an increase in sales of the market's homemade masa, the dough used to make tamales.
The increase in masa sales is expected to continue through the rest of the holiday season.
"I guess because of some kinds of gatherings, we do sell a lot of masa today," said Solorio. "People also make tamales on this day, so we sell quite a bit."
While the El Dorado Market welcomes the boost in business, the most important part for the Solorio family is keeping the cultural festivities alive and giving the community ways to celebrate.
"Most of all, it's traditions. People in Mexico really keep traditions known," said Solorio. "We do have a lot of traditions in Mexico, and this is one of the big ones."
Watch more from ABC10: How Sacramento is honoring different Día de los Muertos traditions
