Garibaldi Mexican Bistro in Englewood reopened June 20 just in time for the dinner rush after being seized by the city earlier this month due to unpaid sales taxes.
Jesus Cruz, one of the owners of Garibaldi, confirmed the reopening on June 20, sharing a mixture of relief and gratitude.
“Over this week, we were able to get in contact with the City of Englewood and we were able to work out payment to pretty much get back in there and go back in business,” Cruz said. “The City of Englewood was very forgiving and helpful with the situation. So we’re very thankful to them for what they were able to work out with us so we could get back in business.”
Cruz, who co-owns the restaurant with his father, paid off the full tax debt — initially reported by the city to be about $70,000 — through a series of personal loans. While a GoFundMe campaign raised about $2,100, Cruz made it clear he didn’t want the burden of the debt to fall on the community.
“I knew that the GoFundMe wasn’t going to pay for everything,” Cruz said. “A lot of people were commenting like, ‘It’s your fault for the taxes,’ which I understand. I never said it wasn’t our fault. It was just the circumstances that we were in, it was either use every cent we got from sales during COVID to pay my staff, bills, and rent — or close.”
Cruz said he takes full responsibility for the tax issues and that he understands people’s frustration with the GoFundMe.
“I understand, that was something irresponsible that shouldn’t have been done on my behalf. I did it. I regret it,” Cruz said.
The payment to the city was finalized the morning of June 20.
“We went to the city at like 10:15 a.m.,” Cruz said. “We made the final payment and received the keys. The city went in and removed the sign that they had placed on the doors, and we got right to it.”
Cruz and his team immediately began deep-cleaning the kitchen and disposing of spoiled food. He said the restaurant planned to serve during the dinner rush on June 20 and be back to the restaurant’s normal business hours June 21. The restaurant’s schedule is Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and it’s closed on Sundays.
As for the GoFundMe, Cruz says it will be deactivated soon.
“My first goal was to get in here, get everything cleaned up, and keep going. But yes, that will be deactivated,” Cruz said. “The people that donated, that weren’t anonymous — we’re going to thank them personally and do something special for them. And for those who donated anonymously, I hope they come forward because we’d be happy to do something special for them as well.”
Cruz said the reopening is not just a win for him and his family but for the staff and customers as well.
“I’m feeling good, feeling happy and motivated to get back in here and serve the community again,” he said. “We had a lot of events scheduled that we had to cancel, so we’re happy to come back and be able to serve the community again and get people working.”
With the debt to the city resolved and the business now relying on personal loans, Cruz said everything moving forward will be in his hands.
“Everything’s good with the city. Everything’s good with the state,” Cruz said. “We’re just waiting on our personal loans, but that’s just on mine and that’ll be separate. So that’s different.”
Cruz said he appreciates the city’s cooperation and the community’s assistance.
“I just want to thank (the city) again for being understanding and helpful with our situation, which I understand came from our own mistakes,” Cruz said. “But it’s something we’re hoping is in the past, and (we’re) staying in good standing with the city.”
Communications Director for the city, Chris Harguth said in an email to the Englewood Herald on June 23 that the “city forgave a portion of the associated penalties and interest to help give the owners a fresh start.”
For more information on the restaurant visit www.garibaldimexican.com.