‘Big financial challenge since the beginning’: Sycamore’s Taxco Mexican Cuisine to close ‘until further notice’ due to pandemic

SYCAMORE – A longtime family-owned Mexican restaurant in Sycamore is the latest to announce it will close indefinitely beginning Nov. 14 due the significant effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on local business.

Taxco Mexican Cuisine, 223 W. State St. in downtown Sycamore, will close Nov. 14 until further notice, announced owner Jesus Romero and his family in a social media post on Sunday afternoon.

"The current situation with COVID-19 is evolving again rapidly around the country," Romero wrote. "The nature of our business is bringing family and friends together to enjoy good food and warm hospitality, but as this is a time when it is recommended that non-essential gathering be avoided as a threat to the health and safety of the community, we believe this decision is the best for the time being for Taxco's family."

The announcement comes after another downtown Sycamore business, The Pantry Cafe, announced Friday it would close for good due to the COVID-19 crisis.

Cases of the viral respiratory disease are record-breaking in DeKalb County, the latest with 120 cases reported Friday, and marks a fall surge being felt across the state and country.

Mitigations mandated by Gov. JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Public Health began Oct. 3 as a result of rising cases, with restaurants and bars bearing the brunt of strict shutdowns in the geographical health area known as Region 1. Since Oct. 3, bars and restaurants have been prohibited from allowing indoor dining, and are also limited to groups of 10 or fewer, with tables limited to six or fewer for outdoor dining.

Pushback from local business owners has been strong across both DeKalb County and the region, with many declaring further shutdowns would mean the end of their livelihoods.

In his post Sunday, Romero said his family feels closing is the right decision for now, and plans to consolidate his locations.

"From the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis, we have worked tirelessly to meet and exceed health and safety guidelines for both our employees and for those visiting our restaurant," Romero wrote. "But in these unprecedented times, we feel it is the right decision to close. Just like lots of other bars, restaurants and businesses, it has been a big financial challenge from the beginning – even more so with the current restrictions."

The business has been a staple in Sycamore for nearly three decades.

“We are so grateful for all your love and support you have shown us for the past 28 years, and even more now through these difficult times,” Romero wrote. “Our plan is to downsize Taxco from our current three buildings to one. We hope to see you in 2021! Stay safe, take care of one another, and have a happy holiday.”