By SHANA SLOMA
news@readthereporter.com
Texy Mexy, 818 Logan St., downtown Noblesville, permanently closed its doors last Thursday after five years of serving the public.
It all started with a farmers’ market stand. Restaurant owners Sophie and Gerry Abell spent nine years building clientele and branding before moving Texy Mexy into its brick-and-mortar location on the square. The Tex-Mex restaurant served its final taco on Dec. 28 when the Abells hosted a farewell fiesta thanking customers for their years of loyal patronage.
Born and raised in Texas, Sophie Abell had no plans of creating Texy Mexy when she first moved to Indiana “for love” 17 years ago. Then, after visiting her first farmers’ market, she knew that she wanted to sell her salsa and tamales made from decades-old family recipes. For the next nine years, Texy Mexy evolved as one tent became two tents, two workers became six, and a “sustainable” family restaurant was born.
In November 2018, with the help of principal architect and Noblesville Common Council president Darren Peterson, Texy Mexy became a place where Abell’s concept of sustainability and community found a home within the location’s historic brick walls. The surprise came when the walls began holding more than memories.
Photo provided by Nik Roberts / noble-pc.com
“One day a lady thought it would be a good idea to put dollars in the walls between the bricks and then other people started shoving money in the holes until the walls started filling up,” said Abell. “So, we decided to donate the money to some of the non-profits in Noblesville as a way to give back to the community. It’s been the biggest blessing to be able to do that.”
With its hand-crafted Texan-inspired Mexican cuisine, the small neighborhood restaurant appealed to everyone from local residents to business professionals across the county.
“Working downtown. this was our go-to spot for a great lunch or dinner,” said Noblesville Community Engagement Manager Aaron Head. “We will definitely miss it.”
Reporter photo by Shana Sloma
Texy Mexy will be remembered for its food, but it is Abell’s impact on the community that resonates with her customers.
“A lot of business owners come to Noblesville to operate their businesses, but Sophie and Gerry are different because they really give back to the community,” Hamilton County Commissioner Mark Heirbrandt said. “That’s what inspires me to be here and support them.”
Abell has chosen to sell the restaurant in its entirety because she wants to be “all in or all out,” but told The Reporter she did not sell her brand. She admits that while she is sad to close Texy Mexy, she and Gerry are making the right decision for their future.
“I still feel good, but running a restaurant is a lot of work,” Abell said. “At my age, I didn’t want to wait until it got to be too much. I want to able to enjoy life later. And I still have things I want to do.”
Abell said she is ready to move on after accomplishing her goals in Texy Mexy’s 14-year evolution.
“Our mission was never to open up a restaurant and get wealthy,” Abell said. “Our goal was always to provide a sustainable place for our employees so we could pay them a salary that would support their families and also provide a space where the community could come together and enjoy good food, drinks and each other. I think we were successful in doing both of those things.”
Photos provided by Nik Roberts / noble-pc.com