An impromptu goodbye party as Sabor A Mexico closes on 1st Avenue

Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy 

After 15 years at 160 First Ave., Sabor A Mexico has shut its doors. 

The nook of a restaurant closed on Monday.

On Tuesday evening, I found (from left) owner Maria Escamilla, her brother, chef Enebidio Escamilla, and staffer Antonia Escamilla inside the space...

They welcomed me in to take some photos, discuss the decision to close, and drink some strong house-special passion fruit margaritas. 

Like other small business owners, Maria cited rising costs as the driving factor behind the closure.

"The economy, rent, supplies. I couldn't afford to pay my employees anymore, and I wanted to quit while I was ahead," Maria said. "The cost of ordering food was going up." 

She does not owe back rent and decided to leave the storefront between Ninth Street and 10th Street before she dug herself into a deeper hole. 

Maria will take a few weeks off to plan her next move, but she says her current focus is on shutting down the shop.

"Thank you to all the guests, our customers, and the support we received. The business was a way to give my kids an education," said Maria, who has two adult daughters, a son, and several grandchildren. "The restaurant also helped employ other people and provided for them. My friends, family, and clients, this means a lot."

Originally from Guerrero, in southern Mexico, Maria moved to the United States in 1988.

"This was my dream, my restaurant, my cuisine," she said. "I learned my style of cooking from my momma. This keeps the tradition going." 

As I eyed my still-half-full margarita, people stopped by to thank the family. 

An impromptu party broke out, with Maria giving everyone souvenirs from the place.