MEET ELENA FLORES
OWNER OF SEW BONITA
For Elena Flores, owner of Sew Bonita, color isn’t just about fabric or design—it’s a sensory experience, shaped by her upbringing in Eagle Pass, Texas. Growing up near the border, she was surrounded by the rich sights, sounds, and flavors of both Texas and Mexico.
“The sea of people, the colors, the food, the way we switched from English to Spanish—it all influenced me.
But the heart of Sew Bonita is deeply personal. The loss of her mom, Esperanza, in 2008 was a turning point that made her reflect on how short life is and how important it is to live it to the fullest. Although Elena’s mom wanted to teach her how to sew and embroider, she never got the opportunity. Elena’s journey into sewing began when her husband, Gerald, gifted her a sewing machine. Teaching herself through classes and practice, she started selling her handmade items. One of her first designs—a “Chingona” T-shirt—resonated with a growing movement of women reclaiming the word. That single design sparked something bigger, evolving into a full-fledged brand.
Sew Bonita began as an online only store, then Elena noticed a trend with pop-up markets around the country and decided to bring that unique shopping experience to Corpus Christi and together with 6 of her vendor friends, created Loca for Local. This community favorite pop-up shop began at The Post at Lamar Park with 6 vendors and quickly grew to 11. Eventually, they had a lineup of over 25 predominantly woman owned vendors and Loca for Local was then hosted at BUS three times a year.
The brand grew as a community favorite, so Elena decided to open a brick-and-mortar location in 2021. She was still working a full-time job, so the store was only open on weekends, but the community flocked to its location in Hamlin Shopping Center to stock up on their favorite goodies that were once only available online. As the store’s popularity grew, Elena found that she needed more space for new products, which eventually led to a larger storefront with greater opportunities for more vendors, workshops, and plenty of dancing space. The new location in Meadowbrook Shopping Center, is five times the size of her first brick and mortar, which allowed her to not only showcases her own work but also provides a platform for other artists and artisans.
“People ask if we’ll open locations in other cities, but this is home. We want to grow here and continue making an impact—celebrating our culture and creating a space where people feel seen.
Elena also hosts pop-ups at the store to allow the community to interact with other creatives in the area and also hosts classes from cookie and wreath making to sewing to help local creatives get inspired and network. Though Sew Bonita has gained attention beyond Corpus Christi, Elena remains dedicated to keeping her store’s roots in the community. Sew Bonita isn’t just a store—it’s a movement, a love letter to heritage, creativity, and the power of embracing who you are.
