Business & Tech

Jerry Herrera Discusses Decision to Close Sangria's

Two dozen employees of the restaurant are now looking for work.

Sangria's owner Jerry Herrera met with Patch at his shuttered restaurant on Tuesday afternoon and explained the events that led to its closing.

"It was a combination of several things that came to a head," he said. "I'm still in shock." Herrera called a meeting of his staff on Sunday night after the last patron left and informed them he had to close down. "It came from the heart," he said. We're heartbroken, all of us. My wife and I want to make sure that all the staff are fully paid."

He would not address a discrimination lawsuit filed against him by a former employee, which he lost, but did say closing the place had nothing to do with low health inspection scores in recent months. Herrera said he has filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy protection.   
    
Herrera posted a statement outside the restaurant on Tuesday thanking customers and staff for their loyalty over the past 17 years. "Without you, none of this would have been possible," he wrote.  

He urges local businesses to hire his now unemployed workers. "They (other local restaurants) are offering support. I've been approached by a couple that have openings," he said.  

Born in Puerto Rico and raised in Tucker, the self-described "Tucker-Rican" has been an active participant in local affairs, many involving his old school, Tucker High. "It's great being part of the all that giving and receiving," he told Patch. 

During the afternoon, customers kept coming up to the closed doors of Sangria's. "It's kind of sad," said Rosemary Broom. "We came a couple of times a week. We were friendly with the staff."

When asked what he would do next, Herrera replied, "My wife (Vanessa) and I, we're going to take some time, go to the lake. We're fighters. We'll be all right." 


    


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