For Paulina Marquez, opening GALU Café & Delicatessen in May 2024 was more than launching a business — it was a life-changing pivot.
“The moment I said, ‘Yes, we’re doing this,’ I was going through an emotional turmoil in my life. I wanted a real change, and I had wanted this for as long as I could remember. It never feels like the right time, but honestly, it was the perfect moment,” she said.
What scared her most? “The amount of money being invested. I felt the pressure to prove it was the right decision, especially with a family depending on me.”
GALU, named after her children GAEL and LUNA, began when Marquez was 29, and her kids were 7 and 4.
Located in the heart of Downtown Third Avenue near H Street, the space had previously been a small 1,000-square-foot barber shop — a blank canvas she and her team transformed into a vibrant, intimate café.
A typical morning finds Marquez on the floor, pulling espresso shots, preparing matcha, or managing administrative tasks.
“I believe in knowing every part of the business, because if you don’t, what’s the point?” she said.
The menu, finalized just two nights before opening, remains intentionally focused, though new items are introduced gradually to maintain quality and consistency.
The early weeks were a financial and emotional challenge.
“Our bank account had dropped by thousands of dollars. We chose to take out a loan because we couldn’t risk every cent we had, and looking back, it was one of the smartest decisions we made. For months, we barely slept. My stomach was constantly in knots,” she said. Yet through determination and collaboration with her husband — also a chef — GALU began to thrive.
Being a woman in a male-dominated industry hasn’t always been easy. Marquez said, “Being a woman often means being constantly underestimated. As a woman chef, I’m often labeled as ‘harsh.’ But I’m not harsh. I’m clear. I know what I want, what my business deserves, and what it took to build it. I lead with high standards because I care deeply. And above all, I truly love my staff, and they know that.”
Among the most emotional milestones has been GALU’s first anniversary, when Marquez realized the loyal community she had helped cultivate. Looking ahead, she dreams of expanding: “If GALU succeeds wildly, it would mean everything to our family. This isn’t just a business; it’s our American dream. It’s proof that the sacrifices of our parents meant something. And most of all, it’s the foundation of a future for our children.”
