Tlaquepaque Opens with Ribbon Cutting
Barnesville Mayor Jake Hershberger along with Barnesville Chamber’s Jill Hissom and John Rataiczak joined Miguel Leon, owner of the Tlaquepaque Mexican Grill & Restaurant, Monday morning for a ribbon cutting to officially open the restaurant.
On a sunny and beautiful morning, about 25 people gathered for the ribbon-cutting ceremony that ushered in the grand opening of the new Barnesville Tlaquepaque restaurant and grill.
Soon after owner Miguel Leon cut the ribbon, patrons streamed into the restaurant to enjoy an early lunch. The interior, with booths lining three walls, tables in the center, and a bright Mexican decor, is similar to the Tlaquepaque in St. Clairsville, though the restaurant also has its own feel. Features include a drive-through for carryout meals and an outdoor dining patio decorated with hanging plants that wraps around two sides of the building.
Sitting outside and attending the opening to support the new business, building owners John and TJ Jeffers praised the restaurant, as did Mayor Jake Hershberger who was standing nearby.
“It was an easy decision, to lease the building to Leon”, TJ Jeffers said after the brothers chose to close the KFC they had operated at the location since 2005.
“It’s good for Barnesville,” John Jeffers added.
This sentiment was reiterated by opening day diners Donald Byers and Bill McDonald, who by 10:45 were enjoying the restaurant’s hallmark tortilla chips and salsa.
McDonald, a retired pastor, said that he and his wife, who passed away in January, used to “travel 20 miles” about twice a month to dine at Tlaquepaque. “Now it’s a mile away,” he said, and noted he would probably be eating there more often. He was glad to run into his friend Donald Byers, a retired Greyhound bus driver with three gold watches from the company, so that he would have someone to share the meal with.
“Barnesville needed another, different choice” of restaurants, McDonald added.
The restaurant already had a busy feel, with servers hurrying to and fro to serve guests seated in booths.
While the business appeared to be open yesterday, it was not Leon said, though cars were driving in with the idea it was.
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