Dominican entrepreneur invests savings into Coco Bus
A viral video gaining more than 35,000 views has brought a new wave of support for Coco Bus, a Dominican Bronx food bus.
As neighbors walk along Jerome Avenue, they may stumble by what appears to be a school bus. However, it's a Coco Bus, which sells traditional Dominican food, ranging from pastelitos to natural juices.
“It’s like a proud moment to be able to gift people a part of your roots. It’s like selling yourself and feeling proud of who you are and where you come from,” said Fabio Reynoso in Spanish, owner of the Coco Bus.
Reynoso owned a restaurant for five years, but once it became too expensive, he invested his savings into a cheddar cheese bus, coconuts and a dream. He began his venture as a mobile entrepreneur, with just a table, tarp and $300 worth of coconuts. Investing in his mobile venture took longer than expected.
“First I had to convince my wife,” he said.
Six months later, a creator on TikTok @Miralba.Rod, visited the food bus and it went viral. The video has reached more than 35,000 views since being posted a week ago. Now, Reynoso said his wife is “very happy.”
The video is attracting new customers, like Matthew Lattimore, of the Bronx.
“It is actually our first time here. We originally saw it on Instagram, On Instagram reels, and like we got to try it ourselves. It looks good,” he said.
As they took a sip of their drinks Matthew rated the drink 10 out of 10. His fiancée Leslie Olivo gave it a rating of 20 out of 10.
In response to the newfound support, Reynoso said, “it surprised me honestly, to tell you the truth. The response from the people, they want to help and it's incredible.”
Reynoso told News 12 after the success of the viral video he is looking to expand the menu items and hopes to one day open a Coco Bus in his home of the Dominican Republic.
