The Heart Behind Ms. Velvet’s® was created in honor of Ruby Enid Marrero — a beloved daughter, sister, educator, and woman of deep faith whose kindness touched everyone around her. Ruby taught young children in Allentown, where she was known for her warmth, patience, and the way she made every child feel valued. She was a proud born‑again Christian who served faithfully at her church and poured love into her community. Her life, her spirit, and her legacy are the foundation of Ms. Velvet’s®.
What began as Ms. Velvet’s Café grew into something bigger. In 2024, the brand evolved into: Ms. Velvet’s® 2GO A modern, fast, community‑driven café built on the same love, flavor, and heart that Ruby carried everywhere she went.
Everything we do — every sandwich, every tray, every act of service — is done in her honor.
⭐ MEET THE OWNER - Carlos aka “LOS”
was born in the fall of 1986 in The Bronx at Lincoln Hospital — the same season the New York Mets won the World Series. The labor room didn’t have a TV, so the nurses and doctors listened to the game on the radio as he came into the world. That moment — the noise, the energy, the chaos, the hope — set the tone for the life he would grow into and raised in Paterson, New Jersey “Los” grew up in an environment where nothing came easy. With a father battling addiction and a childhood filled with instability, Los learned early that if he wanted a different life, he’d have to build it himself.
⭐ From Lemonade Stand to Café Owner At just 8 years old, standing outside 628 River Street in Paterson, NJ, Los opened his first business — a lemonade stand he ran with his sister Ruby and his best friend of 35 years, Jeremia “JJ” Santiago. They mixed lemonade on the sidewalk, greeted neighbors, and learned the meaning of hustle long before they understood the word “entrepreneur.” That little stand was the spark.
From rewinding VHS tapes for 10 cents, to cleaning pizzerias for $5 a day, to rising from $5.15/hr at McDonald’s to General Manager before 18, Los built his life the same way he built that lemonade stand — with grit, heart, and no shortcuts.
⭐ A Childhood Marked by Hardship -- and a Turning Point growing up wasn’t easy. Los was raised in a home shaped by addiction, instability, and fear. At 15 years old, when he came out as gay, because of his older sister Maria, he faced violence that no child should ever experience. The incident left him injured and required medical treatment — but it also became the moment he promised himself he would break every cycle he was born into. He left home with nothing but determination, and from that point on, he built his life by himself — job by job, shift by shift, step by step. That moment didn’t define him. Plus, he successfully ran and operated
When Ruby passed away, Los was managing Wetzel’s Pretzels and Five Guys on Tilghman Street. Customers recognized him from the news and constantly asked for updates about Ruby — even after she was gone. The emotional weight became too heavy, and Los stepped away from those roles to protect his peace.
That pain became purpose. That purpose became Ms. Velvet’s®.
Today, Los runs Ms. Velvet’s® 2GO with the same fire he had at 8 years old — but now with the wisdom, discipline, and heart shaped by everything he’s lived through.
Ms. Velvet’s® isn’t just a café. It’s his tribute to Ruby. His gift to the community. His legacy.
What began as Ms. Velvet’s Café grew into something bigger. In 2024, the brand evolved into: Ms. Velvet’s® 2GO A modern, fast, community‑driven café built on the same love, flavor, and heart that Ruby carried everywhere she went.
Everything we do — every sandwich, every tray, every act of service — is done in her honor.
⭐ MEET THE OWNER - Carlos aka “LOS”
was born in the fall of 1986 in The Bronx at Lincoln Hospital — the same season the New York Mets won the World Series. The labor room didn’t have a TV, so the nurses and doctors listened to the game on the radio as he came into the world. That moment — the noise, the energy, the chaos, the hope — set the tone for the life he would grow into and raised in Paterson, New Jersey “Los” grew up in an environment where nothing came easy. With a father battling addiction and a childhood filled with instability, Los learned early that if he wanted a different life, he’d have to build it himself.
⭐ From Lemonade Stand to Café Owner At just 8 years old, standing outside 628 River Street in Paterson, NJ, Los opened his first business — a lemonade stand he ran with his sister Ruby and his best friend of 35 years, Jeremia “JJ” Santiago. They mixed lemonade on the sidewalk, greeted neighbors, and learned the meaning of hustle long before they understood the word “entrepreneur.” That little stand was the spark.
From rewinding VHS tapes for 10 cents, to cleaning pizzerias for $5 a day, to rising from $5.15/hr at McDonald’s to General Manager before 18, Los built his life the same way he built that lemonade stand — with grit, heart, and no shortcuts.
- Bagging groceries at Bravo Supermarket behind his apartment building.
- Rewinding VHS tapes at Riverside Rental
- Sweeping aisles & mixing gallon paint cans at Tirozzi Hardware Store
- Cleaning tables, bathrooms, and sidewalks at Tony’s Pizzeria for $5 a day
⭐ A Childhood Marked by Hardship -- and a Turning Point growing up wasn’t easy. Los was raised in a home shaped by addiction, instability, and fear. At 15 years old, when he came out as gay, because of his older sister Maria, he faced violence that no child should ever experience. The incident left him injured and required medical treatment — but it also became the moment he promised himself he would break every cycle he was born into. He left home with nothing but determination, and from that point on, he built his life by himself — job by job, shift by shift, step by step. That moment didn’t define him. Plus, he successfully ran and operated
- 15 McDonald’s locations (NJ & PA)
- 5 Dunkin’ Donuts (Emmaus, Hellertown, Bethlehem, and Easton)
- 3 Burger Kings (Nazareth, Bethlehem, Southside Allentown)
- 3 Wetzel’s Pretzels (Lehigh Valley Mall & Mohegan Sun Casino)
- 2 Five Guys (Tilghman St & Airport Rd)
- 2 New York Gyro restaurants (Allentown & Bethlehem)
- Teller at United Check Cashing
- Server & bartender at Olive Garden (Whitehall)
When Ruby passed away, Los was managing Wetzel’s Pretzels and Five Guys on Tilghman Street. Customers recognized him from the news and constantly asked for updates about Ruby — even after she was gone. The emotional weight became too heavy, and Los stepped away from those roles to protect his peace.
That pain became purpose. That purpose became Ms. Velvet’s®.
Today, Los runs Ms. Velvet’s® 2GO with the same fire he had at 8 years old — but now with the wisdom, discipline, and heart shaped by everything he’s lived through.
Ms. Velvet’s® isn’t just a café. It’s his tribute to Ruby. His gift to the community. His legacy.
⭐ Ruby: Her Brother’s Keeper From the very beginning, Ruby wasn’t just a sister — she was her brother’s keeper. As kids, she protected him. As teenagers, she guided him. As adults, she stood by him through every storm, every setback, every comeback. The love between them didn’t fade with age — it grew stronger. And that bond is the heartbeat behind Ms. Velvet’s®.
|
|
|
⭐ History of 239 N. 4th Street — The building at 239 N. 4th Street has been part of Allentown’s Old Fairground for more than over a century, serving generations of families long before it became Ms. Velvet’s® 2GO for almost 6 decades.
In the 1960s, it was a small penny candy shop, the kind of place neighborhood kids stopped at after school.
In the 1970s, it became a local ice cream parlor, a summer hangout for families on 4th Street.
By the 1980s, it transformed into the legendary Mr. Bill’s Diner — a full dine‑in restaurant where Central Catholic students would sneak in during school hours. After parents complained to City Hall, the city forced the business to switch to take‑out only, a rule that followed the building for decades.
In the 1990s, Southern Kitchen opened and became known for its take‑out window. A fire later damaged the building, and the city eventually condemned the property. For years, it sat vacant — boarded up, forgotten, and falling apart.
Everything changed around 2015, when A&J Development purchased the condemned building and began restoring it. The renovation brought the property back to life after decades of decline.
In 2020, the space reopened as Bacon Bagels and 4th Street Tacos, run by local entrepreneur Leo Martin. After Leo passed away, the building went quiet again.
Then in 2021, “Los" stepped in. He opened Ms. Velvet’s® 2GO on August 29, 2021, naming it in honor of his sister, Ruby E. Marrero, whose life and memory continue to inspire everything he does.
Today, 239 N. 4th Street is more than a café — it’s a comeback story. A building that survived fire, condemnation, and decades of change. A place rebuilt with purpose, love, and legacy. A home for community, comfort, and good food.
In the 1960s, it was a small penny candy shop, the kind of place neighborhood kids stopped at after school.
In the 1970s, it became a local ice cream parlor, a summer hangout for families on 4th Street.
By the 1980s, it transformed into the legendary Mr. Bill’s Diner — a full dine‑in restaurant where Central Catholic students would sneak in during school hours. After parents complained to City Hall, the city forced the business to switch to take‑out only, a rule that followed the building for decades.
In the 1990s, Southern Kitchen opened and became known for its take‑out window. A fire later damaged the building, and the city eventually condemned the property. For years, it sat vacant — boarded up, forgotten, and falling apart.
Everything changed around 2015, when A&J Development purchased the condemned building and began restoring it. The renovation brought the property back to life after decades of decline.
In 2020, the space reopened as Bacon Bagels and 4th Street Tacos, run by local entrepreneur Leo Martin. After Leo passed away, the building went quiet again.
Then in 2021, “Los" stepped in. He opened Ms. Velvet’s® 2GO on August 29, 2021, naming it in honor of his sister, Ruby E. Marrero, whose life and memory continue to inspire everything he does.
Today, 239 N. 4th Street is more than a café — it’s a comeback story. A building that survived fire, condemnation, and decades of change. A place rebuilt with purpose, love, and legacy. A home for community, comfort, and good food.