After closing for six weeks following a fire, Tomasita’s opened its doors again on Monday to welcome Albuquerque customers. The reopening brought all 80 employees back to work just as the restaurant entered one of its busiest periods, KOB 4 reports.
To recall, Tomasita’s had to implement a temporary closure late September due to a fire involving an exhaust vent, according to KOB 4.
Tomasita’s employee Kaela Childs told KOB 4 that the owners continued to compensate staff during the closure. She added that she temporarily transferred to the Santa Fe location.
As reported by the news outlet, owners George Gundrey and Georgia Maryol said the reopening meant more than simply restarting the business after the incident.
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Gundrey told KOB 4 that he never doubted that the restaurant would reopen. He said he felt relieved that the fire only damaged the roof and kept the business closed for six weeks rather than six months, according to the news report.
52 Years of Serving Meals
KOB 4 stated that the restaurant chain has been a New Mexico favorite for 52 years. Maryol said they are known for their signature red chile.
Childs said the support from customers and the community made the restaurant’s reopening even more special, the news outlet reported.
Over the past few weeks, community members have rallied behind the business. Some offered employees temporary work during the busy Balloon fiesta season, while others sent messages of encouragement, according to a report by KRQE.
Gundrey described the community’s response as heartwarming, KRQE reported. He added that people flooded his phone and email with messages asking how they could help the business.
What's Next
Tomasita’s thanked everyone who stood by the restaurant and supported its reopening. In a Facebook post (https://www.facebook.com/TomasitasABQ), the Albuquerque branch said it couldn’t have made it through the challenging period without the people who rallied behind its team. Tomasita’s is welcoming customers back to enjoy their favorite dishes.
Why It Matters
Tomasita’s reopening shows how a business can bounce back from a hurdle with support from its employees and community. Its return also brings 80 staff members back to work and gives customers the chance to enjoy their favorite meals again at the restaurant.
The late September fire also highlighted how Albuquerque’s restaurant community looks out for its own. While Tomasita’s was closed for weeks, other local restaurants stepped in and offered its employees temporary work, helping them earn an income during the temporary closure, as reported by KOAT (https://www.koat.com/article/albuquerque-restaurants-support-tomasitas-employees-after-fire-forces-closure).
About This Story
Daily Reports is Brant.One's news roundup. Each day we gather the New Mexico stories worth knowing from newsrooms across the state, sum them up and point you to the source. This one comes from KOB 4's reporting, and their original story has the interviews and full details.
