Local East Austin Mexican Restaurant Breaks Ground on New Location

Austin, Texas (September 19, 2006) – After 13 years at its current location at E. 7th Street and IH-35, Angie’s Mexican Restaurant broke ground on a new location today. Known for its famous carnitas and lemonade, the new restaurant location will offer more square footage, additional seating and create better access for parking.

To assist with the expansion process, Angie’s owners – Angie Quintero – secured a loan through the City’s Neighborhood Commercial Management Program (NCMP) and received financing through Laredo National Bank in San Antonio.

“We are excited to help the Quintero’s grow this well-established East Austin business. They came to us with a well thought out plan for expansion,” said Van Jobe, manager of the City’s Community Development program. “We know this expansion project will only bring great things for Angie’s as well as for the growing economic development along E. 7th Street. This project is a perfect fit for the NCMP program.”

The NCMP program provides a revolving loan to assist existing small businesses. The loan provides gap financing for fixed assets, in exchange for job creation or retention and is available to small businesses citywide. As a participant in the program, Angie’s will be required to create at least seven (7) jobs over the next two years with four (4) jobs to be held by low- to moderate-income persons.

According to Jobe, it is important area small businesses looking to expand have access to programs such as this one because not only is it providing an opportunity to grow an existing business but it’s an opportunity to create new jobs and increase the economic base for the area.

Angie has been operating Angie’s Mexican Restaurant in its current location with her husband for the past 14 years and says she knows every customer who walks through her door. Her customers come from all over Austin, and it is customary to see men and women in their business suits that come by from the Capital and other downtown offices. She is famous for her carnitas and lemonade, both original recipes. Her other recipes are a culmination of her almost 34 years of experience in the restaurant business.

“This restaurant means a future for my children,” so that they can go to college says Angie. “This program is a good opportunity to start a business and it has helped to make this dream come true.”

Angie’s new location, 1307 E. 7th Street, is expected to open by June 2007.

The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. Please call 974-3100 (voice) or 974-3102 (TDD) for assistance. This project is made possible by funding from HUD through the City of Austin.

CONTACT: Jackie Mayo, AHFC, 974-3121 (voice), 802-7108 (pager)