A fire that tore through the roof above the kitchen at 7 Mares forced the beloved Mexican restaurant at 1403 Kalamazoo Ave. SE in Grand Rapids to close in July, but the Santoyo family didn’t wait around for insurance checks to start cooking again. They bought a food truck and parked it in the lot across from their original building, providing the family some income while repairs remain stalled.
Tina Santoyo, her children and employees were preparing for the day and eating breakfast when they learned the building was on fire, according to MLive. Her son, Sebastian Santoyo, said the flames were already on top of the building by the time he looked up. The fire started above the kitchen and caused extensive water damage throughout the building, according to the same report.
The blaze broke out on July 21, and the response was fast: fire crews arrived on scene within three minutes, and everyone inside escaped unharmed, according to WOOD TV8. Within six minutes of the call, 27 firefighters were on the scene, the station reported, and the fire ultimately caused what officials described as significant damage to the kitchen and part of the building. The cause was believed to be tied to a problem with the kitchen’s hood system, though WOOD TV8 reported that remains under investigation.
A Family Business Built Since 1999
Tina Santoyo founded 7 Mares in 1999 at the corner of Kalamazoo Avenue SE and Adams Street, according to a report from Yahoo News. The restaurant had served customers for nearly three decades, becoming known for seafood and authentic Mexican dishes, per MLive. For more than 25 years, 7 Mares has been serving up authentic Mexican food to the Grand Rapids area, according to a separate account from wgrd.com…