From “Ensenada Made” to Unpaid: The Fall of EVCR’s Factory

They used to say: “LA-based. Ensenada made.” That was the tagline for EVCR—Evolution & Creation—the activewear brand that insisted its prints, its fabrics, its identity were rooted in both the glam of L.A. and the hands of workers here in Baja. Their signature leggings, often priced at $29.99, carried a dual promise: fashion appeal and local production. But over the last few weeks, the promise is unraveling.

In late September 2025, something changed. The factory in Ensenada—where dozens of workers had come in every day, stitching seams, pressing seams, assembling activewear—pulled the plug. Or at least that’s what employees say: the doors are closed, management is silent, and paychecks haven’t been coming.

It started on September 27, when news broke that EVCR would halt operations. Workers flooded the gates. Some blocked access. Others stood guard over machinery they helped produce. Their cry was simple but urgent: “We haven’t been paid. We still owe rent, food, Infonavit, FONACOT. We deserve answers.”

They say they’ve been without pay for weeks. Some still show up, hoping someone will break the silence. Others have posted pleas on social media: mothers, fathers, people with rent due, bills stacking up. “No tienen para pagar dos semanas de sueldo,” one post said: they don’t have even two weeks’ wages. Management has offered no detailed roadmap for how they intend to settle. Anecdotal rumors claim fines over 40 million pesos for labor violations, but I found no official confirmation. The state labor office is said to be watching—some say preparing to step in—but that still leaves a gulf between principle and practice.

When a factory shuts down without warning, the hurt lands hardest on those with least wiggle room. Workers depend on every peso. Wages aren’t extra—they’re survival. Mexican labor law mandates payment of earned wages, compensation, severance, benefit accruals. But laws are only as effective as their enforcement. For many here, the question is not “Does the law protect me?” but “Can I make the law work in time?”

This moment reveals a deeper conflict buried under glossy brand marketing. EVCR claimed transparency. A direct-to-consumer, local-manufactured identity. But now, in crisis, the promises vanish under layers of silence. The workers didn’t design the prints—they made them. They didn’t write the slogans—they stitched them. Yet their voices are now the loudest in the empty halls.

To outsiders buying a $29.99 pair of leggings, the cost seems modest. But for those who sewed them, the cost may now be existential. Not just pay—but dignity, security, accountability.

Here in Ensenada, this factory closure is not an anomaly. Garment, textile, activewear chains have long operated on tight margins, outsourcing risk until the last moment. When the lights dim, the lowest rungs of the ladder take the fall.

What happens now matters. The Baja California labor authority must act: audits, binding orders, enforcement. EVCR management owes transparency: a full accounting of debts, deadlines, names. Workers deserve not promises but confirmations: what they’re owed, and when they’ll see it. Legal boards of conciliation and arbitration should be empowered to enforce judgments swiftly, not let bureaucracy drown people.

And then there’s the court of public opinion. Consumers who chose EVCR because of its local identity must ask: does “Ensenada made” mean anything when the makers are left unpaid? Media, social pressure, demand for accountability—they can push brands from hiding to responsibility.

Starbucks Plans 1,000 Stores in Mexico by 2026

Because Apparently, We Still Need More Places to Wi-Fi and Complain About Wi-Fi


Mexico’s long-standing love affair with frappuccinos, “personalized” cups that never spell your name right, and air-conditioned workspaces with exactly three available outlets is going strong. Starbucks just announced that by 2026, the country will hit 1,000 stores. Yep, a thousand. That’s one Starbucks for every person currently trying to finish their thesis in one.

The announcement came on International Coffee Day, which seems fitting since half of us were probably celebrating it at a Starbucks anyway. The company’s partner, Alsea — the same group behind many of our favorite restaurants — has been running the show here for over two decades. Together, they’ve turned coffee time into something more like a daily ritual: a mix of community, creativity, and just the right amount of foam art.

And Starbucks isn’t stopping there. The brand will open 145 new stores across Latin America next year and expand into new cities like Guayaquil, Ecuador, and Tegucigalpa, Honduras. They’re even launching something called Casa Bou in El Salvador — their first flagship store in the region, dedicated to art, youth, and, presumably, very slow jazz playlists.

How much gear can you bring to Starbucks to “work”? This guy in Playas de Tijuana said yes to two monitors and a two laptops — and honestly, we respect the commitment. We’ve seen people with full-size printers too and even desktop computers, so the bar keeps rising.


Ricardo Arias-Nath, President of Starbucks Latin America and the Caribbean, said the move shows the company’s confidence in the region’s future and its commitment to creating meaningful connections through coffee. In simpler terms, they’re betting big on the idea that a good cup of coffee can still bring people together — one latte at a time.

And if you need another reason to stop by, Starbucks Mexico is celebrating with a special promo: when you buy any grande or venti drink, you can get a commemorative cup for just 29 pesos. That’s a small price to pay for a piece of coffee history.

Still, the truth is, Starbucks has done what few brands have — become part of Mexico’s urban life. Whether you’re escaping traffic, freelancing for “exposure,” or pretending to read while waiting for someone two hours late, there’s a Starbucks nearby ready to charge your laptop and your wallet at the same time.

From Yucatan to Ensenada, Starbucks has become more than just a pit stop. It’s the place where students finish essays, freelancers find Wi-Fi, friends catch up, and where this writer does a lot of his work — fueled by caffeine, background jazz, and the occasional slice of banana bread.

So here’s to 1,000 stores — and to all those coffee-fueled moments that make life a little warmer, a little busier, and a lot more delicious.

Insurance Pros Gather at Corona del Valle

On September 26, 2025, the vineyards of Corona del Valle in Ensenada swapped their usual symphony of cork pops and clinking glasses for something a little different: the buzz of insurance talk. The Mexican Association of Insurance and Bonding Agencies (AMASFAC) held its 21st Regional Pacific North Congress, drawing in agents from all over Baja California, plus colleagues from Sonora, Sinaloa, and beyond.

This wasn’t just another corporate mixer. It was a full-scale meet-up where Mexico’s most trusted insurance agents traded strategies, heard inspiring talks, and—of course—did some serious networking. Bernabé “Bernie” Hernández, president of AMASFAC’s Tijuana section and our good friend from Bernie’s Insurance, personally invited us to attend and cover the event.

Ana Gabriela León Vegas, president of AMASFAC Ensenada, summed up the purpose of the gathering perfectly:

“These events are designed to keep us informed and updated in the insurance field so we can do better business. Most of the agents belonging to AMASFAC attend, and we are recognized by society, our colleagues, insurance companies, and institutions as the most reliable insurance agents.”

For anyone shopping for coverage, that’s the key point—when you deal with an AMASFAC agent, you know you’re working with a licensed professional recognized at the national level.

Ana Gabriela Leon, president of AMASFAC, Ensenada Chapter.

Throughout the day, attendees discussed industry changes, customer experience, and the everyday realities of selling trust in uncertain times. Panels and presentations touched on everything from motivational stories to practical agreements with hospitals—yes, even free parking at Hospital Ángeles in Tijuana made the list of perks negotiated for clients.

It wasn’t all spreadsheets and policy talk. There were lighter moments too—like the gifting of fancy chocolates, jokes among colleagues, and remembering leaders who left a mark on the organization. The atmosphere was more family reunion than dry convention, proving once again that AMASFAC isn’t just about policies, it’s about people.

For Ensenada, hosting the congress meant putting the region on the map as more than a wine destination. The Corona del Valle backdrop made sure every conversation came with a side of vineyard views. Between the barrels and the PowerPoints, the message was clear: the insurance sector in Baja is alive, well, and working hard to stay relevant for the clients who depend on it.