A popular Mexican restaurant in Hoover has closed, prompting an immediate reaction from its ardent fans.
Habaneros, located on Montgomery Highway, notified customers through social media Thursday that it was closing its doors.
In a post, the restaurant management stated:
“It has been a pleasure to serve you for so many years! We’ll miss all those beautiful babies, our sweet elders!! and our wonderful families!! Each of you have touch our lifes in so many different ways!! We are so blessed to be part of this wonderful community, here at Hoover! We keep all of you in our hearts and we’ll miss you very much.”
The closure prompted a petition from fans. “Reinstate Habaneros Mexican Grill for Our Community” had more than 140 signatures by Friday afternoon.
“Habaneros Mexican Grill was not just a restaurant, it was a hub of joy and memories for all of us,” the petition states. “Its unique ambiance, coupled with its extraordinary cuisine, gave us some insights into the beautiful Mexican culture, which built countless community-binding moments.
“Closure, however, has left an irreplaceable void in our hearts and community. Our mission, with this petition, is to herald the return of Habaneros Mexican Grill, for it wasn’t just a restaurant, it was a cornerstone of our community life.”
Other fans shared memories of celebratory dinners, family milestones and drinks shared over many years, as well as photographs made at the restaurant with loved ones and staff. A few posts named waiters and waitresses by name.
Katherine Tollison Hilton spoke for many. “We are DEVASTATED! We will miss all the servers who took care of us over the years … Ulises, Santi, Jaime, Mariano, Anna, and most recently Pedro Pablo! They’ve watched our four kids grow up, and this closure leaves a hole in our hearts."
Jessica Christine George, on Facebook, wrote: “This was where me and my husband had our very first date 10 years ago. Makes me sad.”
Dee Ann Weldon Poehler stated, “Such sad news! We’ve celebrated my kids birthdays with you since you opened. Oh how we will miss you!!”
Christine Morris Weaver included a photo of her child. “This little boy was partly made of Habaneros cheese dip while I was pregnant. So of course his first trip to a restaurant at 3 weeks old was Habaneros! For the whole 10.5 years of his life, Habaneros has always been his requested Mexican restaurant.”
“My family and friends have eaten there decades,” Brenda Hailey Glover wrote. “Casual dinners, birthdays, it’s been a bad day and I need a drink.”