LOWER MACUNGIE TWP., Pa. — Another locally owned restaurant has closed its doors.
Casa Catrina, a Mexican restaurant on Brookside Road, announced on Facebook it "will be closing permanently."
The news comes after customers speculated the restaurant's closure in early December. A sign on the door instead said Casa Catrina was temporarily closed.
At the same time, online ordering and delivery platforms said Casa Catrina was "currently not accepting orders" or "not active."
'Memories we created together'
"After much consideration, we want to share that Casa Catrina will be closing permanently," a post on Casa Catrina's Facebook page says.
"Despite our best efforts to reopen and continue serving our community, circumstances have led us to make this difficult decision.
"Your loyalty, kindness, and encouragement meant the world to us and made Casa Catrina a special place."Post on Casa Catrina's Facebook page
"We want to express our deepest gratitude to all our customers, friends, and supporters who have been with us over these six wonderful years of operation. Your loyalty, kindness, and encouragement meant the world to us and made Casa Catrina a special place.
"Thank you for allowing us to be part of your celebrations, your family moments, and your everyday life. We will always be grateful for the memories we created together."
The Google page for Casa Catrina now lists it as permanently closed, when it previously displayed its regular hours.
Latest in a series of closures
The location has undergone a series of restaurant closures over the years.
In 2004, owners Ronald and Clairissa Pickering operated the restaurant as the Stoned Crab until selling it in April 2018 to J M Cristo LLC for more than $900,000.
Juan Martinez, owner of Don Juan Mexican Grille, would open his fifth Mexican restaurant there. In January 2020, Martinez then announced the restaurant would cease operations as Don Juan Mexican Grille and Humberto Chavolla, the former owner of Fiesta Olé in Emmaus, would reopen it under the name Casa Catrina.
Property records show the building has not been sold nor transferred since its last sale date in 2018.
