SHELBURNE — It comes as no surprise that the economic fallout from the pandemic has caused some restaurants to close permanently. But perhaps a more unexpected side effect has been that restaurant equipment is easier for aspiring business owners to get their hands on.
Cristonfer Cruz and Ingrid Rivas, co-owners of the new Posada Grill, took advantage of that opportunity, opening last month on the Mohawk Trail “in the middle of a pandemic and in the middle of nowhere,” Cruz said. And the restaurant is thriving.
“This was a good opportunity,” Cruz said, referring to the pandemic. “A lot of businesses were going out, lots of restaurant equipment was easier to find and it was a good time to plan and organize. … Also, COVID is not going to be forever.”
Posada Grill offers Mexican and Salvadoran cuisine for sit-down or takeout, including enchiladas, quesadillas and fajitas, as well as burritos and tacos, which are the most popular items on the menu.
With more business than expected, Cruz and Rivas have needed to add extra refrigerators for fresh vegetables, expand storage space and hire more help.
“We have eight employees now,” Cruz said. “For a small business right now, that’s a lot.”
Cruz and Rivas recounted how they used to work over 70 hours a week in food service, Rivas as a manager and Cruz as a server.
“We thought, if we’re working that much, why not work for something that was ours,” Cruz said. “That was our inspiration.”
The owners believe their different skill sets create a perfect balance. Together, they built the menu over weeks of trial and error.
Rivas grew up cooking with her family in El Salvador from the age of 12, and has brought many of the classic dishes from her home country to Posada Grill. She has worked in food service since coming to the United States 13 years ago and, according to Cruz, she is “the main cook.” Cruz, whose father was also a chef, grew up in Miami and moved to Amherst about a year ago.
The owners said they were attracted to the Shelburne Falls-Greenfield area by the friendly people, and saw potential in the location for its visibility from the well-traveled Route 2.
Posada Grill, at 1105 Mohawk Trail in Shelburne, is open seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. To order for pick-up, call 413-489-3323.