Señor Manuel closes after 55 years, despite attempts to rebuild

(COLORADO SPRINGS) — Señor Manuel Mexican Cuisine, a beloved family restaurant that has been an icon in Colorado Springs for 55 years, announced that they were permanently closing on Tuesday, Sept. 30, after a devastating fire and a months-long effort to rebuild.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Señor Manuel fire caused by neon transformer malfunction

In July 2024, a fire caused by an electrical malfunction in a neon transformer devastated the building. According to the restaurant’s Facebook page, the owners, the Hernandez family, had been working for over a year to rebuild and reopen the restaurant.

On Tuesday, the Hernandez family posted a message on Facebook saying, in part, “Friends, it is with extremely heavy hearts that we must inform you all we will not be able to reopen our beloved restaurant. We tried our best for a different outcome, but unforeseen complications and developments didn’t allow for us to finish the work we have done for the rebuild.”

The post went on to highlight memories of the restaurant that served as a gathering place, not only for the family who owned the restaurant, but also for many families in the community, highlighting several of the memories made over the years.

“This last year and a half has been full of trials and tribulations, but we are eternally grateful for the outreach of love and support we have received from our community,” said the Hernandez Family. “We truly could not have been who we are without you all. ‘Thank you’ will never suffice for the love we have been given. We love our community, we love our friends, and we’ve loved the time we’ve shared.”…

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