A locally owned Mexican restaurant in Richardson was on the verge of closing last week when the owners came up with an idea – a heartfelt plea to customers on Facebook "to save our business."
Suddenly, the restaurant, Casa Milagro, is overflowing with customers.
The business, near North Plano and East Campbell roads, has served up enchiladas and margaritas for 13 years.
But the last several years, owners Eddie Galvan and Greta Horowitz said they have struggled. More restaurants have opened in the area while the nearby Telecom Corridor has largely disappeared.
They hit bottom the day after Thanksgiving, they said, when few customers showed up on what traditionally is a busy day.
"It was just, 'What are we going to do?'" Horowitz said. "I felt like I was playing chess with the money, calling vendors, trying to get extensions."
Casa Milagro, which means "house of miracles," needed its own.
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That's when Galvan had an idea.
"I just decided to make the posting," he said.
He posted a personal plea on the restaurant's Facebook page.
"Dear Casa Milagro supporters, I'm reaching out to all of you to inform you of our struggles," he wrote. "We still serve quality food and our margaritas are hard to beat … We are praying for a miracle in the form of many new customers to save our business."
Horowitz said she was nervous about being so honest and admitting the business was failing.
"I was really scared," she said. "I mean, it's like being undressed and standing naked in front of millions of people."
But it worked.
Almost overnight, customers started pouring in.
"I don't know anybody who hasn't had a tough spot in their life," said customer Kaye Trimm. "And we love to help."
It remains to be seen if the rush of new business is short-lived or a permanent fix.
But for now, at least, Casa Milagro is able to pay its bills again.
"The posting was the miracle, really," Galvan said.
