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Petronilo “Petro” Vázquez, founder of Bonampak Coffee Roasters, pitches his business during the Ruby Red Ventures Pitch Competition at Mission’s inaugural Small Business Expo. Photo Credit | Mat Wilson

MISSION — Petronilo “Petro” Vázquez took the stage at the Mission Economic Development Corporation’s Small Business Expo on Wednesday with a story.

About three years ago, Vázquez said, he started thinking about the little cafe his church runs.

The church, strapped for money, was spending too much money on coffee beans.

Vázquez, a math teacher at La Joya Independent School District with a passion for coffee, figured he could buy unroasted beans on the cheap in Mexico, roast them himself, and save the church some money while doing something he was passionate about.

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