ANN ARBOR, MI - Owners of Chela's Restaurant and Taqueria say they are living their dreams, finalizing plans for a second location in downtown Ann Arbor in the former Jerusalem Garden space.
Adrian and Lori Iraola are renovating the 1,126-square-foot building at 307 S. Fifth Ave. and anticipating the opening of Chela's Downtown by June. The husband-and-wife team of 26 years said they had downtown in mind since they first decided to open a restaurant together.
"We originally wanted a downtown location," Iraola said. "We couldn't find anything that was the right space or the right feel. We always kept an eye out, watching downtown."
They have operated their current restaurant, 693 Maple Road, since 2012, earning acclaims from regular customers and visitors for flavorful Mexican cuisine and placing second in the search for the Michigan's Best tacos.
A call from the property owner of 307 S. Fifth last June prompted Adrian Iraola to jump out of his chair with excitement hearing the space was available, and the couple signed a long-term lease shortly after.
"It feels right, it feels like home," Lori said about the new location. "We couldn't do much before, we had to get approvals from the city."
Those approvals included permits for a new roof, after extensive water damage was revealed during renovations, and some revamping of the kitchen area.
"The roof was in a highly-deteriorated condition," Adrian said.
A commercial building permit submitted March 2017 to the City of Ann Arbor detailed "modifications of existing building from previous restaurant use to new restaurant use" and includes a list of estimated costs for some of the modifications, including a new walk-in cooler and hood system, totaling $29,400.
The owners have been in and out of the property, overseeing the work and bringing the familiar touches customers have come to love over the years about Chela's like the warm yellow hue of the interior paint and brightly colored chairs.
Future plans for the new location include tiling the patio out front and setting up a food cart for late-night cravings. Some options being considered include steamed tamales and champurrado, a spiced hot chocolate beverage.
"We think it would be well-received," Lori said.
Their first real look at the property prompted a vision of Chela's Downtown: hanging plants hung in the entrances and Mexican music playing in the background. They plan to seek permission from the Historic Commission to redo the patio area.
The Iraolas said they don't think business volume at the original Chela's would be affected by the new location, and they are hoping to reach a new group: University of Michigan students and faculty members.
"Putting us downtown will allow us to hit that population," Lori said.
The menu will stay the same and may expand with a few new items as time goes on, she added. Part-time employees are being offered full-time positions at the new restaurant, and Chela's currently is hiring.
Restaurant manager Enrique Aquino has worked at Chela's for five years and seen the love the Iraolas put into the place and reflected in the customers coming back time and time again. He has witnessed lawyers sitting next to construction workers, eating tacos and tortas.
For him, it's the atmosphere Chela's offers and the fresh produce delivered daily that sets it apart from other Mexican restaurants.
"Chela's Downtown will have that," said Aquino, as Adrian nodded his head in agreement.
"It just begs to be reborn and have new life," Adrian said. "Mi casa es su casa."
Thinking of her husband's excitement to see the new restaurant come to life, Lori remembers the conversations she and Adrian shared about searching for authentic Mexican cuisine in Ann Arbor.
That need for a taste of home has never left, with Adrian frequently visiting Mexico and coming back with ideas for new food options. The passion he has for Mexican culture and cuisine is comparable to the desire to share it with Ann Arbor.
"We want to become American without forgetting where we've come from," Adrian said. "It's in our blood. We are so excited to share the culture."