An iconic Los Angeles establishment is appealing to the community for help as it grapples with financial challenges, unpaid bills, and critical repairs that have resulted in a temporary shutdown.
Cielito Lindo, the renowned Olvera Street stand known for its hand-rolled taquitos with avocado sauce, announced on social media Wednesday its severe financial difficulties.
This nearly 100-year-old eatery is seeking donations to ensure that “Cielito Lindo remains for future generations.”
The call for help follows the business’s May 12 announcement of a temporary closure to address electrical issues and perform essential repairs.
In a recent update, the family-operated stand emphasized the urgent need for funds to handle electrical repairs, rent debts linked to COVID shutdowns, and increasing city-imposed late fees and interest.
Like many small businesses in Los Angeles, Cielito Lindo highlighted rising costs as a significant challenge, stating it strives to maintain affordable menu prices despite “dramatically increased operating costs.”
Despite these financial hurdles, the long-standing institution plans to reopen with revised pricing and new specials after completing repairs.
Founded in 1934 by Aurora Guerrero, a single immigrant mother from Zacatecas, Mexico, Cielito Lindo has stayed within the family for generations and is now run by her fourth-generation granddaughters.
The stand has recently been the subject of online confusion, with incorrect boycott calls due to similarly named restaurants.
These unrelated businesses include a South El Monte eatery whose owner supported Trump publicly and Las Vegas’s Lindo Michoacán, which drew criticism after hosting a Trump campaign event.
Cielito Lindo itself remains unaffiliated with these establishments, continuing its legacy as a family-run staple on Olvera Street.
You can support Cielito Lindo by donating to their GoFundMe campaign here.
