By CAMILA FERNANDEZ
WISH-TV | wishtv.com
It was the start of memories and love after a local Mexican restaurant cherished by the Noblesville community announced it’s closing down.
Noblesville Mayor Chris Jensen says they’re going to build a roundabout near the restaurant as part of a large road-expansion project. The restaurant called El Camino Real, located on South 10th Street, has been around for nearly 25 years, and some residents say that for them its closure is like losing a family member.
On Tuesday, families passed through the parking lot only to find out that the Mexican restaurant was closed.
Tricia Shoemaker said, “First time we ate here, my oldest was a baby, and we’ve been coming ever since.”
She added, “I was really sad because I was hoping to have it one last time and just step inside one last time and see all the folks in there.”
Bill McCormick said, “It’s just part of the community. It’s part of you. It’s part of your family, and it’s just sad.”
A place that once was packed on any given day is being forced to close its doors so that the city can move the Reimagine Pleasant Street project forward. The restaurant, along with a Dairy Queen and some homes near Pleasant and Tenth streets, will be gone. The business Firehouse Pizza also has closed.
Shoemaker said, “It’s sad. It’s bittersweet. I do feel like there’s a lot of traffic that goes through the downtown area and hopefully it will alleviate some of that, but it’s sad that these businesses are going to have to close.”
The Republican mayor says they’ve worked with the restaurant to find some options to relocate and provide some resources. “Our economic team has met with them one on one. Our engineering staff has met with them one on one about two years ago to have this conversation, so this has been an ongoing conversation knowing that this date would come sooner rather than later,” Jensen said.
McCormick said he understands the need for drivers. “A city like Noblesville it has to grow to have progress or else it’s going to die, and it is sad seeing some of the staples are leaving that you grew up with.”
But for some, memories of celebrating milestones, eating delicious food, or making new friends will remain for years to come. Kennedy McCormick said, “It was always people you knew there. It was always crowded, so a lot of people are going to miss it.”
Restaurant owner raises concerns amid road project
Ignacio Rodriguez, owner of El Camino Real Noblesville, said Wednesday, “Right now, we are kind of stressed, and our feelings are hurt.”
For more than two decades, the unique eating spot in Noblesville has been filled with memories and love from the locals, but now the city government is forcing the Mexican restaurant to shut down. Rodriguez says the shutdown has impacted many people in the community.
“I like Noblesville,” Rodriguez said. “I like Noblesville because it’s been home for everybody here.”
The restaurant on the northwest corner of Pleasant and North 10th streets was forced to close its doors on Tuesday so that the city government can move the Reimagine Pleasant Street project forward.
The project aims to ease traffic by providing an additional east-west corridor from State Road 37 to the west across the White River to State Road 32.
“It’s important what they’re doing, but I’m trying to defend a business that’s been here for 25 years,” Rodriguez said.
Rodriguez says the city government is giving him more than $550,000 for the property, but it’s not enough. “Prices have been increasing a lot. It’s extra expensive for everything, and what the city offers, well, it’s not going to help me on anything about it because it’s about $550,000.”
Jensen says his staff and other groups have worked with the restaurant to find some options to relocate and provide some resources.
“Different real estate agencies in the city and identified different sites that would be an option for them going forward,” the mayor said. “This has been a real hands-on approach from the city knowing that these are difficult conversations, but we want to make sure that our local businesses are protected and have options going forward.”
Rodriguez said, “If there’s any chances or opportunities to do something in the future, another project, probably we’ll have to think about it.”
The restaurant owner says he’s grateful for the support he’s received all these years. He posted the following message to the restaurant’s Facebook page. As of Thursday evening, the post had 252 reactions, 101 comments, and 52 shares:
“Noblesville friends, we did our best to keep open until the 31st of this month. Unfortunately with the shorted notices of vacant our staff needed to relocate in a new job, we wish them the best and thank for their help. As well to all your support and affection given all this 25 years to us. [W]e respect all your opinions and hope you respect us as well, as we try to do the best for all our clients these many years. Unfortunately with the offer that was giving and poor communication it was not helpful for us to relocate. Thank you. Thank you. Att; El Camino”