La Purisima Bakery Builds on Its Legacy in Phoenix with Western Alliance Bank
We are grateful to the Western Alliance Bank team, who were very responsive and provided hands-on support to help us move quickly in a competitive market.
Founded in 1983 by Juan and Maricela Arellano, La Purisima Bakery is a cherished, family-owned business known for its colorful conchas, traditional Mexican breads and welcoming, community-focused spirit.
As the business grew, Juan and Maricela’s daughter-in-law, Irma Arellano, became the general manager of La Purisima and the driving force behind preserving the family’s traditions. Irma takes seriously her role of sharing their beloved flavors and continuing to honor the Arellanos’ legacy of pouring love into every bite. The Phoenix New Times has called it “iconic” and a “Phoenix staple,” and named it “Best Mexican Bakery” in 2023.
From the bakery’s first location in Glendale, the Arellano family has since expanded to three locations in Phoenix, adding North Phoenix and Camelback East as the company grew to meet consumer demand for its nostalgic, mouth-watering pastries, tortillas, empanadas, tamales and more.
In 2025, more than 40 years after its founding, La Purisima deepened its roots in the Camelback East neighborhood with the purchase of a property a block away from the building it has rented since 2012. The purchase is an exciting milestone for the Arellano family, who will now own two of their three locations. The new space allows for more on-site baking, a move that will improve operational efficiency and free the team from transporting goods from its Glendale location.
The family owners are proud to have secured the new property, which they acknowledge wouldn’t have been possible without the right financial partner. Once they found the building, their efforts to connect with their existing bank went unanswered. That’s when their realtor referred them to Western Alliance Bank.
The team at Western Alliance Bank guided the Arellanos through every step, offering steady support to help keep the process on track. “We are grateful to the Western Alliance Bank team, who were very responsive and provided hands-on support to help us move quickly in a competitive market,” shared Irma.
The positive relationship goes both ways. Their Western Alliance banker, Todd Russell, vice president of Commercial Lending, calls the pastries “life-changing.”
“La Purisima aligns with Western Alliance Bank’s DNA. Like us, they are committed and loyal,” Russell said. “They value our mission to help business owners achieve their ambitions through banking based on relationships. It’s a great relationship, and we are proud to serve all of their banking needs.”
Juan Arellano has always believed that if you make something with love, people will love it. And love it, they do. The bakery’s loyal following in Phoenix is proof, with customers lining up outside its vibrant storefronts to partake in the traditions. With the purchase of the location at 2441 E. Indian School Road, Phoenicians will continue to experience the flavors of the bakery — and for some, the flavors of home — as the fifth generation of bakers continues the family tradition.