The owner of beloved tortilla and burrito shop, Anita Street Market, may be forced to close its doors next year.
Gracie Soto inherited the 37-year-old business when her grandmother Grace died of COVID-19 last year.
Trying to sort out the business paperwork, Soto said she was overwhelmed by the financial discrepancies and was in the process of applying for a business loan when she received a tax lien on the property, 849 N. Anita Ave., just north of downtown.
“Being uneducated about a lot of things, my grandmother trusted that accountants were doing the right thing,” Soto said through tears. “I know she wouldn’t want me to have to suffer like this.”
Known for its breakfast burritos and flour tortillas, Anita Street Market may be ending its 37-year-run due to financial issues.
In a Facebook note to her customers Wednesday morning, Soto said she had spent several sleepless nights coming to this decision.
“I love my customers, all of the new and especially our loyal ones, who have been so good to me and my family,” she wrote. “I hope that I can resolve this situation, until then please say a few prayers and enjoy Anita’s while we are still open.”
The market has been a staple in Tucson’s Barrio Anita for 37 years, famous for its flour tortillas and breakfast burritos.
“It breaks my heart to be put in this situation,” Soto said. “This store is my life and it’s all I know.”
She is unsure if she is in danger of losing the building after getting the $158,000 tax lien on the property in historic Barrio Anita but has reached out to a tax liaison for advice.
Soto said she does not have an accountant or attorney.
Her grandparents started the business in 1984 and her grandfather was the one who would monitor bills and business matters, Soto said.
When he died in 2008, her grandmother trusted others to handle the paperwork.
“She was scared and taken advantage of,” Soto said. “There are a lot of nanas and tatas out there who don’t know the business side of things. There needs to be more support.
Customers wait for their food and to place their orders at Anita Street Market, 849 N. Anita Ave.
“I’m at the point where I pick and choose what bill I am going to pay today.”
Soto said she wanted to give faithful customers notice and not suddenly close the shop.
Gracie Soto, owner, grabs a drink for a customer's order at Anita Street Market.
“It’s only fair that they know that I can’t promise that I will be open next year,” she said. “It would be wrong to close overnight … I want to put this out there in a respectful way.”
For the holidays, Soto has changed the store hours to also be open on Sundays and Mondays.
“I don’t want anyone feeling sorry for me,” she said. “Just shop small, shop local and support those little businesses.”
10+ restaurants and bars Tucson said goodbye to in 2021
Bentley's House of Coffee & Tea
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“We couldn’t bring back the magic,” says Jo Schneider of her longtime Tucson diner, Bentley’s House of Coffee & Tea, 1730 E. Speedway.
After reopening in September after an 18-month closure, Bentley's House of Coffee and Tea closed for good on Dec. 29, 2021.
The diner, at 1730 E. Speedway Blvd., was opened 38 years ago by Jo Schneider, whose family also owns LaCo Tucson at 201 N. Court Ave. LaCo will remain open downtown.
In a Dec. 29 Facebook post, Schneider shared the news of Bentley's closure and told the Tucson community "we have loved being a part of your lives and thank you for being a part of ours."
Boulevard Barbecue & Fixins
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Less than a year after opening, Boulevard Barbecue and Fixins at 5737 E. Speedway closed on Sept. 22, 2021.
Boulevard Barbecue & Fixins was opened at 5737 E. Speedway Blvd. in October 2020 by the same minds behind Serial Grillers, brothers Travis and William Miller, and their business partner David Martin.
An increase in meat prices and a staffing shortage led to the trio closing down the restaurant on Sept. 22 this year.
In addition to their four Serial Grillers locations in Tucson, the Miller brothers recently opened Transplant Detroit Style Pizza at 4603 E. Speedway Blvd.
Fronimo’s Greek Café
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Since 1995, George and Tracy Fronimakis have run Fronimo’s Greek Cafe, which has offered dishes like gyros with tart tzatziki drizzled over freshly shaved lamb or beef, or Athenian chicken bursting with bright lemon and Greek spices.
Tracy and George Fronimakis, the owners of Fronimo’s Greek Café, announced New Year's Day that their restaurant at 3242 E. Speedway Blvd. would be closing after 25 years of business.
Fronimo's closure was credited to issues the couple faced trying to renew their lease with the owner of the building the restaurant operated out of.
The longtime Greek eatery stayed open through Jan. 15 this year before closing its doors.
The B Line
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A person walks by 621 N. Fourth Ave., which was once home to the local cafe The B Line that officially closed up shop.
It was announced in March 2020 that The B Line would "suspend operations" as the COVID-19 pandemic began impacting the restaurant industry and warranting business closures.
Owner Peter Wilke planned to reopen the popular Fourth Avenue restaurant, which had been around since 2002, but it never happened.
Frankie's Cheesesteaks
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For 17 years, the original Frankie’s South Philly Cheesesteaks on North Campbell Avenue was a popular destination for authentic Philly fare. The restaurant will close for good at the end of business Friday, Dec. 31.
The original Frankie’s South Philly Cheesesteaks location at 2574 N. Campbell Ave. announced Dec. 31 would be the restaurant's last day of business after the owners struggled to negotiate a new lease.
Frankie's was originally opened in 2004 by Deb and Frankie Santos.
A second Frankie's location opened in September 2020 at 3780 W. Ina Road and will remain in business.
Rigo's Restaurant
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Rigo's Restaurant, along with its mariachi performances and daily Mexican buffet, was a South Tucson hit for over 20 years before it closed for good Jan. 8.
After nearly a year of being hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic, owner Rigoberto "Rigo" Lopez said the restaurant had to close after the building, located at 2527 S. Fourth Ave., was bought out by a private lender.
Salted Pig American Barbecue
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Salted Pig American Barbecue opened in February at 11835 N. Oracle Road and offered traditional barbecue influenced by Texas and the Carolinas.
According to a notice posted on Nov. 22, the restaurant's landlord had reclaimed the space and the doors have since been shut.
Bashful Bandit
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Sherri Cole and Cisco Rivera talk about motorcycles outside the Bashful Bandit in 2008.
Since 1980, the Bashful Bandit was a popular hangout and drinking spot for college students and bikers alike.
The iconic 40-year-old Tucson bar, which had a history of fights and noise complaints, closed its doors at 3686 E. Speedway Blvd. in June this year.
Toby Kyte, who bought the bar this year, plans to open a barbeque restaurant there this fall.
Casa Sanchez
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The Sanchez family is the engine behind Casa Sanchez Mexican restaurant. From left, Lilly, Rey Jr., Stevi and Trey.
For 24 years, Casa Sanchez-Mom’s Mexican Food served their signature "Sanchez-style" burritos on Tucson's northwest side at 8320 N. Thornydale Road.
The family-run restaurant was set to close in December 2021 due to a lull in business and loss of staff, but the Sanchez family decided to close early in June due to health concerns.
Senae Thai Bistro
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Amonwadee “Dee” Buizer opened Senae Thai Bistro in 2016 to showcase the upscale side of Thai cooking.
Senae Thai Bistro was opened downtown in 2016 at 63 E. Congress Street by Amonwadee “Dee” Buizer, who permanently closed the restaurant in July.
After temporarily closing and reopening her dining room multiple times over the past year and a half, Buzier decided it was time for her to retire ahead of her 60th birthday this year.
Asian Sofrito
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Asian Sofrito's former sign at 2530 N. First Ave.
This Asian-Caribbean fusion restaurant that sat at 2530 N. First Ave. closed its doors at the end of August after three years of business.
Asian Sofrito's menu blended popular Chinese dishes with Caribbean flavors, from lo mein and chicken chop suey to fried plantains and pork fritas.
The restaurant's owners thanked their patrons in a Facebook post and announced that they would close for good on Aug. 29.
A new restaurant, Buendia Breakfast and Lunch Cafe, opened in the former Asian Sofrito location in early November.
