CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A beloved Charlotte bakery that has served the eastside for nearly three decades has closed its doors — not because of financial trouble, but out of fear for customers’ safety.

Manolo’s Bakery on Central Avenue announced it would temporarily shut down after its owner witnessed people being stopped by Border Patrol agents just steps from the bakery’s entrance.

Owner Manolo Betancur, who has operated the business for 28 years, said the decision became clear after taking a walk down Central Avenue and seeing what he described as aggressive encounters.

“I saw how they threw those people down on the street ... they didn’t even ask them what their status was,” Betancur said.

Betancur said multiple businesses along the corridor also shut their doors out of concern for thei

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