El Sombrero given new life, new manager

Felipe' Fernandez poses in this October 2017 photo at El Sombrero, his Mexican Restaurant in Holts Summit.
Felipe' Fernandez poses in this October 2017 photo at El Sombrero, his Mexican Restaurant in Holts Summit.

El Sombrero, a Mexican restaurant in Holts Summit, reopened May 15 after closing almost a week earlier.

The restaurant originally closed earlier this month after owner Felipé Fernandez announced he had been unable to find enough help to run the business and wanted to spend more time with his family.

Fernandez said he decided to reopen once his nephew, Alejandro Zaragoza, offered to run the business and call in Fernandez only when he is needed.

Zaragoza has 15 years of experience from working as a manager at El Espolon on Eastland Drive in Jefferson City, Fernandez said, giving him the ability to handle El Sombrero.

"The customers I have here, they're pretty good people," Fernandez said. "Once they know him and get to know him, I'm sure that they're going to give him the support we need to continue running the business."

Fernandez said they will look to create a new menu, adding some new dishes and keeping some of the customers' favorites.

"We'll be glad to see everybody that was here before, and new customers (are) always welcome," he said.