If all goes well, a new Mexican restaurant is set to open in Vernon's downtown core.
Vernon couple Isabel and César Hernandez are close to their goal of an authentic Mexican restaurant in the city.
The restaurant is called Antojitos Guadalajara, which will feature Mexican-inspired street food.
However, the couple has encountered a few troubles since purchasing a lease in downtown Vernon (30th Avenue) for their restaurant.
"The cost of our kitchen has been a problem," César told The Morning Star. "We knew it was going to be expensive but the most expensive part is the hood system."
The couple moved to the area in 2023, after escaping what César called a "dangerous" situation in their hometown of Guadalajara.
"We had a business in Guadalajara, but at the time it was getting very dangerous," he said. "We had a young child, so we decided to move here mainly for security reasons. "
César is studying business at Okanagan College, while Isabel is operating a cleaning service called Cleaning Lives.
"Isabel and César are one of the hardest working, most courteous and endearing couple I have met," said Loretta Locke, a client of Cleaning Lives.
"My house has never been this clean before, and they don’t just do a job, they put love and passion into everything they do. Despite all the setbacks they experienced, they have never lost that positive outlook on life, that heart quality of going beyond to help, while being extremely professional and reliable."
César said that initially when moving to the city, they did not know anyone, but now they have begun to feel "very comfortable."
"People have been so nice and they always come up to us asking when the restaurant will open," said César. "We have most of what we need, but we are still working on getting a food permit as there are a lot of requirements to make, so there has been a lot of trouble, but we still need to accomplish final construction."
The family had always wanted to do something with Mexican food in Vernon, and, after operating a small restaurant back in Guadalajara, wanted to replicate the same tastes here in the Okanagan.
"We thought, why not?" César said. "In Mexico we are pretty used to street food, and there isn't something like that here with real Mexican taste."
The family is currently on a student visa, with the eventual plan to get residency.
"We both have been working a lot, trying to make this dream a reality," said César. "We know this will be a good service for the city, and people are willing and waiting for us to open."
To donate to the family, visit their GoFundMe (search for Antojitos Guadalajara).
If interested in their cleaning service, visit cleaninglives.com.
