Stockton businesses see boost from Dia de los Muertos sales [Video]

STOCKTON, Calif. — The mixer in the kitchen at Stockton‘s La Victoria Panaderia can’t catch a break this week, but neither can its owner, Carmen Torres.

Before Sunday, she expects to sell at least 4,000 pieces of the traditional “pan de muertos” or “bread of the dead.”

The bread is often placed on alters as offerings for the spirits of the dead, who are believed to return home during “Dia de Muertos” — translated to “Day of the Dead” — to visit relatives.

“We ran out this morning, but we are making more,” said Torres of the pre-noon crowd Friday. “Every year, it’s the same tradition.”

As Irene Pena found out Friday, traditions respect no borders.

“We are from Mexico, from Michoacan,” said Pena.

Two years ago, Irene Pena and her family moved to Stockton from Mexico. She never thought she’d get to decorate her altar with traditional marigolds again, …