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ATTLEBORO -- Guatelinda Bakery, estab lished by Guatemalan immigrants five years ago on Union Street, is more than a place to purchase Cen tral American breads and pas tries and specialty goods.

For members of the city's growing Hispanic population, it's a touch of home and a place to seek occasional advice.

`` We get a lot of Guatemalan people here, but we also get a lot of people from different cul tures,'' said Byron Lopez, son of founder Zoila Marqez. `` We even have Mideastern families.''

For newcomers, especially those with a limited command of English, the bakery can be a place to find help.

Occasionally, Lopez says, he's been asked for advice on how to contact a Spanish-speak ing police officer or for help reading English-language docu ments. `` Many people don't read English,'' he said. `` So, they can't fill out a job application. If they ask, we help them.''

Lopez, his mother and four brothers and one sister came to the United States in 1985, first to California and eventually to Rhode Island. Mother and son now live in North Providence.

A large majority of Guatemalans entering the Attleboro area come from the Department (state) of Jalapa, a mountainous region in the southeast of Guatemala known for farming and ecotourism, Lopez says.

Most are Spanish-speaking descendants of the native Mayans.

Word of mouth and success at finding entry-level jobs has drawn many Jalapanicos to the Attleboros.

Some of the newcomers plan on staying only a few years, Lopez says, sending money back on a regular basis to help extended families at home. Many plan to save their money to buy houses or farmland back in Guatemala. Others, like Marqez and her son, have put down roots here.

What all have in common, he says, is a desire to get ahead.

`` About 99 percent of the reason why people come here is economic,'' Lopez said.

Guatemala suffered a destructive civil war years ago, Lopez said, but for most Guatemalans the conflict is only a bitter memory.

At first, Lopez and other members of his family helped out at his uncle's large bakery in Providence. The family has traditionally produced bakers, Lopez says, a trade of which they are proud.

`` A lot of what we bake is bread,'' he said. `` You can compare a lot of it to Portuguese bread.''

Lopez says he has found the Attleboro area accepting of Hispanic immigrants.

`` People here are pretty laid back,'' said Lopez, who attended local schools and college in Rhode Island. `` In some places, people will mess with you. It's not like that here. Here people have accepted us better.''

Lopez says he and his mother continue to prosper at their bakery, which is open 6 1 /sub 2 days a week.

`` We're growing slowly,'' he said.

Lopez says his mother is considering buying a house in Attleboro. But Lopez, who has grown up mostly in cities like San Diego and Providence, prefers the bustle of an urban environment.

`` Me, I like the city,'' he said.