Gonza Tacos y Tequila won’t reopen its downtown Durham location
The Durham location of Gonza Tacos y Tequila will not reopen.
Owners Gonza Salamanca and Carlos Rodriguez announced the closing Tuesday, citing the economic uncertainty brought on by the coronavirus pandemic, as well as lease terms they found unfavorable.
The popular group of Mexican restaurants started seven years ago in North Raleigh and has grown to five total locations, plus a booth at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park and a taco truck.
The downtown Durham location opened in 2015 in the West Village apartment complex and was known for its variety of tacos, pitchers of margaritas and large patio. The owners said that when they stopped serving food at the Durham location due to a state mandate against dine-in meals, they didn’t imagine it was permanent.
“We have loved being in Durham over the past five years, and this is not an announcement we anticipated making when we temporarily closed March 16, due to the Governor’s COVID-19 dine-in restrictions,” the owners said in an emailed statement. “However, our lease was up for renewal, and the revised lease terms were not something we could commit to given the uncertain times we find ourselves in.”
The Gonza owners said the Durham location had been a profitable one for the company. The owners said that their Durham lease was set to expire this month and that their rent would increase under a newly proposed lease.
“We are very thankful to the Durham community for their love and support over the past five years.” said Salamanca said. “To say we were disappointed at the lack of flexibility, and proposed rent increase by the landlord, would be an understatement.”
West Village apartments is owned by the Ohio-based Connor Group. A message requesting comment was acknowledged by a company representative and this story will be updated with any response.
Restaurant equipment and cookware from the Durham Gonza have been put up for auction, hosted by the Wester Auction house out of Four Oaks.
While Gonza’s will close its West Village location, the company said it plans to pursue a new spot in Durham in the near future.
This story was originally published May 19, 2020 at 1:07 PM with the headline "Gonza Tacos y Tequila won’t reopen its downtown Durham location."
