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Meet the pop of paletas
Kurtis J. Wood/sports@qvpr.com
Heriberto Birrueta helps customers behind the counter of his paleta shop.
Heriberto Birrueta, or “Herbie” as some call him, moved to Quincy with his wife, Maria, in 1994, even before their children, Heriberto and Tamara were born.
In 2002 Birrueta had a friend who taught him the art of making paletas (cream and fruit bars). Today, Birrueta’s store, La Michoacana Paleteria, at 6 D Street SE, is going strong. He features 30 flavors at his store, from strawberry to tamarindo to cool off the customers on a hot day.
“The space used to be a restaurant and an office at one time. It was open so I decided to rent it,” said Birrueta.
Within the last two years, Birrueta began distributing his delicious frozen desserts to the west side of the state. Now he goes to at least 25 locations, including Renton, Auburn, Kent, Tacoma, Federal Way, Tukwila, White Center, Burien, Kirkland, Monroe, Everett, Lynwood, Marysville, Mt. Vernon and Raymond.
“It takes 35-40 pounds of dry ice to keep the paletas cold for transport,” said Birrueta.
In fact, La Michoacana Paleteria is the largest maker and distributor of paletas in Washington state. Birrueta’s store is family run and owned, and he enjoys working alongside his wife and his brothers, Jesus, Ignacio and Celestino Birrueta, who come to help during the warm seasons of spring and summer when business picks up. Patrons also come from Chelan, Ephrata, Soap Lake and from points beyond to grab a little taste of summer at the store.
Birrueta likes the weather here, and he has never had a problem finding work to do. His children also help out once in a while, and he hopes to be around long enough to pass the business down to one of them.
“I would like to expand the business, and maybe find a larger space,” said Birrueta.
