A sign on the front door of Chivas Cocina Colombiana conveys the sad news to its customers.
“After 23 years of service, our restaurant will be closing as we enter retirement,” the message from owners Grete and Mariano Santos says on the storefront in the Palm Plaza shopping center on Northwest 67th Avenue.
“It’s been an honor to share our Colombian cuisine with you and to be a part of so many memories made along the way.”
Since 2004, Stephanie Lee has come for the empanadas baked on premises and has brought her daughter Genevieve Amadeo, now 11, since she was a toddler.
“We’d come for the baked goods, the pan de bono (cheese bread),” Lee said. “I’ll miss the comfort food.”
Wen Pinedo was a regular at breakfast for five years.
Looking around at the 10 tables and counter, he said, “When they close this, I’ll take my breakfast at home. It’s excellent food. I’ll be sad, absolutely.”
Grete Santos, 62, was wistful.
“It’s amazing how over so many years, we’ve gotten to know these families,” she said.
The couple live in the Silvercrest South community in Miami Lakes.
During 13-hour days, they greeted customers for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
“Let me tell you, we did everything here, the bread, the empanadas, everything was homemade, we ground the herbs and meat,” she said. “It’s a lot of work but it’s worth it. If I had to do it again I would.”
Mariano Santos is 69 and said the restaurant business is a young person’s game.
They previously owned Dunkin’ franchises in the area and are selling Café y Sabor in Doral. They are helping to place their 11 employees in food businesses in the area.
The couple is retiring to travel and enjoy their family.
They will lock the doors for the last time on Feb. 21 at the shop where a “chivas” or colorful bus and license plates from Medellin and Barranquilla decorated the walls.
“Thank you for being part of our story,” the door sign says.