UPDATE: Alejandra’s Mexican restaurant in Downtown Visalia is officially back in business after a devastating fire in 2022 forced it to close for over three years. The restaurant, a beloved local landmark, is welcoming customers again starting today, bringing a wave of excitement to the community.
The fire, which was started by a man who admitted to igniting a nearby dumpster, caused extensive damage to Alejandra’s as well as neighboring businesses like Décor to Adore and Jimmy John’s. Now, rebuilt from the ashes, Alejandra’s is ready to serve customers once more.
“It feels great,” said Saul Altamirano, the General Manager of Alejandra’s. “The staff and I have all been anxious to return to the community, and everyone is pretty pumped to be back.” Since reopening, the bustling eatery has seen hundreds of patrons walk through its doors.
Regular customer Geraldine Cole, who has been dining at Alejandra’s since 2008, expressed her joy, stating, “It’s exactly what we expected, just coming in getting our chips and salsa.” She and her colleagues had been eagerly watching for the restaurant’s return from their workplace across the street.
With a fresh new look, Alejandra’s still maintains its familiar ambiance and friendly faces. The restaurant can now accommodate about 200 people, with a bar space that has tripled to seat 24. Additionally, five new tables have been added to the patio, and booth sizes have been upgraded to fit six instead of four diners.
Despite the destruction caused by the fire, the restaurant has successfully welcomed back its employees, including the entire kitchen staff, while expanding the dining space by 20%. “Once you think about it and reflect on it, you realize maybe things happen for the better,” said Altamirano. “Now we are able to expand and have more space to feed the community.”
Alejandra’s will celebrate its grand reopening this upcoming Saturday, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony scheduled between 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM. The community is invited to join the festivities and experience the revitalized atmosphere.
The restaurant will operate from 9 AM to 10 PM Monday through Thursday, 10 AM to 10 PM on Friday and Saturday, and 9 AM to 9 PM on Sundays. For more updates, patrons can follow Alejandra’s on social media.
This reopening marks not just a return to normalcy but symbolizes resilience and community spirit in Downtown Visalia. Share in this momentous occasion as Alejandra’s rises again to serve its loyal customers.
