Coronavirus Forces Phoenix Restaurant To Permanently Close

PHOENIX, AZ—As the new coronavirus continues to put an economic strain on small businesses nationwide, keeping the doors open has proven harder than many small business owners could have ever imagined. No one knows that better than Chef Silvana Salcido Esparza, the owner of Barrio Café Gran Reserva. Over the weekend, she announced she was closing the restaurant for good.

"With a broken heart. I am sorry to inform you that due to zero funding and coronavirus, we are closing," she posted on Facebook. "Thank you for your support."

Barrio Café Gran Reserva opened in June 2016 in the original Braggs Pie Factory on West Grand Avenue in Phoenix. The restaurant has nearly a perfect rating on TripAdvisor.

"This place was probably one of the sexiest, eye-candy places you could be at in Phoenix. It had the No.1 Mexican cuisine, and we put a lot of heart and soul here. The art in here is fabulous," Esparaza said during an emotional video tour of the place while announcing the closing.

Following her announcement, many patrons of the restaurant took to social media to express their sadness over seeing it close.

"I'm so heartbroken. I'm a mom and I don't get out much, but I had a beautiful birthday dinner there with friends a couple years ago," one person posted. It was one of my happiest events. Thank you."

"My heart is broken. I had the privilege of celebrating special occasions at the Gran Reserva and it was without a doubt an example of your love for our culture and your passion for cooking. We will continue to support you in any way we can," another person posted.

VIDEO: Chef Silvana Salcido Esparza announces restaurant closing

Esparza's second restaurant, Bario Café, will remain open, she said. Although, the restaurant is currently closed to the public due to the coronavirus, it continues to make meals for front-line workers.

"While we are closed, our kitchen has turned into a community kitchen serving our Barrio community," she said.

This week, she hopes to provide about 2,000 meals to Banner Hospital.

VIDEO: Chef Silvana Salcido Esparza making meals for front-line workers.