DENNIS ODA/ 2015
Cha Cha Cha Salsaria served customers in Hawaii Kai for 22 years before closing Tuesday. Amber Bowe, left, and her mother, Laura Woodall, bring platters of food and libations to a table.
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Cha Cha Cha Salsaria in Hawaii Kai Shopping Center closed its doors Tuesday after 22 years in business.
Owner Angela Runyan sold the business to Cardenas Familia Corp., a family-run Mexican restaurant business, for undisclosed terms.
Under separate ownership, Cardenas’ officers also operate Mexico Lindo in Kailua, Mexico Restaurant in Kalihi and Mexico Cantina in Ward Centre. The buyers could not be immediately reached, but have registered Mexico Fiesta with the state as a possible name for the new restaurant.
“It’s a happy day. It’s sold and I’m ready and I’m old and I’m tired,” Runyan said before also describing the day as “bittersweet.”
Between seeing longtime customers and employees and sharing stories, there have been tears, she said.
She had all 22 employees fill out applications to work for the buyer, and counseled all to file immediately for unemployment benefits, just in case.
The employees who are hired will be trained at the buyers’ other restaurant locations “so they’re not out of jobs completely” during the weeks of renovation the buyers plan, Runyan said.
Runyan and her husband hope to travel and to work some agricultural land they own in Waimanalo, she said.
The buyers hope to reopen within two weeks “but are prepared for a month,” said Runyan.
