SM City Laoag helps Lanie’s Empanada grow from small kiosk to bigger space

What started as a small kiosk has grown into a bigger food business, with Lanie’s Empanada moving to a larger in-line space at SM City Laoag’s food court, marking a milestone in its journey as a local entrepreneur.

For the family behind the business, the expansion reflects years of hard work and the opportunities that came with operating at the mall, where they have been able to reach more customers and grow their sales.

Melanie S. Torres, manager of Lanie’s Empanada, said the support they received from SM City Laoag helped the business move forward, giving the family confidence to take the next step.

“SM has been very supportive of us. Even though we are just a small business, they genuinely help us reach more customers and increase our sales. We, as a family, prayed about this decision and asked God for wisdom, and here we are today,” Torres said.

The move to a bigger space marks another chapter in the business’s growth, allowing it to accommodate more customers and offer a wider selection of food.

Known for its empanada and miki, Lanie’s Empanada has expanded its menu to include Ilocano favorites such as pinakbet, igado and bagnet. It also serves affordable rice meals and merienda options, including kwek-kwek, isaw and longganisa.

The expanded menu gives customers more choices, from quick snacks to full meals, while allowing the business to serve a wider market.

For small entrepreneurs, finding a location where customers can discover their products can make a difference in how a business develops. Lanie’s Empanada’s experience at SM City Laoag illustrates how access to a commercial space can help a small enterprise establish its presence, build its customer base and work toward expansion.

Its growth also reflects the family's willingness to invest in the business and take calculated risks. Moving to a larger space means greater room to serve customers, but it also brings the responsibility of sustaining sales and maintaining the quality of its products.

For Torres and her family, the decision to expand was made with faith and careful consideration. Their experience shows how a small business can build on the opportunities available to it while remaining focused on its customers and products.

Lanie’s Empanada’s journey from a small kiosk to a larger food court space is a success story shaped by both entrepreneurial effort and the opportunities it found at SM City Laoag.

As the business enters this new stage, the family hopes to continue reaching more customers and building on the progress they have made, showing how a small local enterprise can grow into a bigger operation with perseverance, family support and the right business opportunities.