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Maria's operated at 406 South Ave. since 2001.
Courtesy Google Maps
Maria's operated at 406 South Ave. since 2001.

Maria's closes after 25 years

Posted online

Downtown staple Maria's Mexican Restaurant has closed its doors.

Owners Chris and Monica Guest announced the decision in a Facebook post last night.

"Recent events have made owning a restaurant tougher than ever before. It wasn’t an easy decision to close Maria’s, but after 25 years, we’re tired," the post reads. "We decided to close Maria's, retire and move forward with new dreams."

Maria's first opened in 1997 at 319 1/2 E. Walnut St., a 7-foot wide by 70-foot deep space, before moving to 406 South Ave. in 2001, according to Springfield Business Journal archives. It was known for menu items such as fried tacos, seafood dishes and chili con carne.

In addition to the downtown restaurant, Maria's had a short-lived second eatery at 4610 S. Campbell Ave. Maria’s Mexican Kitchen Southside opened in April 2020, according to past reporting. Casa Bella Mexican Cuisine opened at the same spot in late 2021.

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jeffmunzinger

This is a horrible blow for downtown Springfield. Maria's was a place we count always count on. Food was good, reasonably priced, and consistent. They were there when downtown Springfield had little to offer. I really wish a white knight would come in and save the place.

Wednesday, September 7, 2022
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