Seven Wonders Bakery is noted for its fresh, crusty Cuban bread, its connection with Arlington's Hispanic community and its colorful pinatas.

Owner Reynaldo Grinstein has 10 pinatas in brilliant hues of blue, yellow and pink with red crepe paper and streamers hanging from the tile ceiling.

He has created a festive atmosphere in a bakery that has become a hub for Hispanics to talk politics and social issues, learn about community events and feast on flaky pastries and Cuban sandwiches.

The bakery at 2145 University Blvd. N. is easy to spot. The name is in large red letters against a sunshine yellow backdrop. Five tables are arranged inside the all-glass storefront, whose walls are painted a muted gold. Spanish tunes play softly in the background.

Carlos Castro, a former Cuban journalist, drops by three or four days a week for Cuban coffee and bread or pastry. On a recent afternoon, he sat at a table engaged in animated conversation with two friends.

"It's nice when you can come someplace and speak in your language," he said. "This place is very nice and very clean."

Maria Machin, a member of organizations such as the Hispanic Lions Club, has posted fliers in the window about health fairs and other events.

"Anytime that we need to disseminate information, we've found this is the best place to do it," the Arlington resident said.

Machin, who works for AT&T, said Arlington is attracting a growing number of Hispanic residents. Four Cuban families, for example, have moved near her since she came here from Miami four years ago.

Grinstein, an insurance executive from Argentina who has his own agency, opened the bakery in April 2007 for his wife, Nancy, to run.

A bakery appealed to Grinstein because he likes to cook and his father once owned a large bakery that supplied bread to more than 16 Argentinian cities. At a time when many bakeries have switched to mixes or frozen doughs, he said, Seven Wonders bakes from scratch on the premises.

Grinstein gave it the name when he declared that there were more than seven wonders in the bakery. Along with the sweets, he quipped that it offers some salty things, such as sandwiches and tamales.

He said 40 percent of customers come from Arlington. The response has been so good that he's planning a franchise store in Mandarin.

Former Arlington City Councilman Lake Ray said he recently met with several Hispanic community leaders at the bakery.

"It was a chance to experience some delicious food in a nice, quaint environment and sit and talk about community issues," Ray said. "I've always enjoyed little places like that, and it's nice to have a community center where people can come."

Besides, Ray said, he's always loved baked goods.