Representative Stefani Lord recently shared news about Rude Boy Cookies, a bakery located on Central Avenue, which plans to relocate. She discussed the situation in a post dated November 28 on X, formerly known as Twitter.
"Another business has decided to vacate their location on Central, citing ongoing issues with crime and vandalism as a major factor in their departure," said Lord, State Representative. "This local bakery is just the latest establishment to close its doors in a corridor increasingly plagued by safety concerns, highlighting a troubling trend of businesses abandoning the area in search of a more secure environment. Elected Democrats have absolute control and domination in the state and in Albuquerque politics. Why do Democrat lawmakers consistently shy away from introducing concrete legislation that could effectively tackle the pressing crime issues in our communities?"
In her post, Lord expressed frustration over what she perceives as a lack of decisive action to address safety concerns. "It’s frustrating to see their ongoing reluctance to take decisive action and address the rampant dangers that threaten our safety, leaving us to grapple with this increasingly troubling situation," she said. Lord added that since taking office, she has consistently taken the initiative to present or co-sponsor bills aimed at tackling pressing issues. However, "each legislative session, my Democratic colleagues systematically obstruct or significantly dilute the crime bills put forth by Republican lawmakers," she said. As a result, she noted that they face a "staggering crime problem" that continues to escalate.
Screenshot of State Rep. Stefani Lord's Nov. 28 post on X
| X
Rude Boy Cookies is currently seeking financial support through GoFundMe with a goal of $75,000 for their move. By December 20, they had raised $20,652. In a letter shared partially by Lord in her post on X, Mike Silva explained the challenges faced by the business since moving to their location near the University of New Mexico (UNM). Silva wrote on the GoFundMe page: "When we moved to our 1916 Central Avenue location near UNM, we were so excited to be on Route 66. But unfortunately, since then, we have faced struggle after struggle."
Silva detailed incidents including being robbed at gunpoint and having copper wiring stolen. He also mentioned repeated vandalism resulting in broken glass doors and damage from a vandalized water main that halted operations. The business has been temporarily closed since September due to these issues.
Silva elaborated that funds raised will be used for relocating equipment to a new site and purchasing foodservice equipment. Additionally, they plan to replace point-of-sale equipment and iPads stolen during an incident on June 11 and cover vendor bills and back rent.
State Representative Stefani Lord has served New Mexico House District 22 since 2021. Her educational background includes a bachelor's degree in psychology with an emphasis on neurochemistry from Portland State University. She is also noted for her experience as a small business owner and for forming Pro-Gun Women, a citizen action group.
